What is ALS? (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons, among the largest of all nerve cells, reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body.
When these motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscles (the muscles that people move at will, like those of the arms and legs) progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed. As ALS progresses, it will eventually affect muscles that control breathing, as well as chewing and swallowing food.
Caring for a loved one with ALS is not an easy task, as this debilitating diagnosis can be devastating and life-changing for both the individual and the family. Anger, denial, fear, and a sense of loss are common reactions to an ALS diagnosis.
No two people with ALS are alike. This is because the signs and symptoms of ALS vary from person to person and often affect different regions of the body. Knowing which parts of your body are affected by ALS can help you and your healthcare provider(s) better understand how ALS will impact you moving forward. Learn more about ALS research.
Understanding ALS and How Home Care or Day Care Can Help
How Does Home Care Help with ALS?
ALS often requires adjustments to your living situation. As your medical needs increase and your ability to perform everyday tasks decreases, you may need professional care on a daily or around-the-clock basis.
It’s easy for people with ALS and their families to become overwhelmed by the wide range of needs they have, from everyday errands to making meals, maintaining their home, getting children to and from school, etc. There is so much to know, a great deal to consider, and typically a host of questions, and A Remedy Home Care is your resource for your loved one’s care needs.
Physical and emotional care can be time-consuming and exhausting. Most caregivers of people with ALS have concerns about their loved ones’ illness and future health prospects. Practical concerns, such as worries about financial issues and time management, are also common.
Not only does ALS require physically caring for someone you love, but it also means facing your own concerns about the diagnosis, speed of progression, and eventual outcome of the disease.
A Remedy Home Care provides you and your family and friends with the vital information, support, and proper care that your loved one needs to live a fuller life and better meet the daily challenges of living with ALS.
Get started today with one of our dedicated staff and see what services A Remedy Home Care can provide to your loved ones.
How Can Adult Day Care Help with ALS?
Adult Day centers are a good option for individuals who have a spouse/partner or family caregiver who works during the day, needs to run errands, or simply needs a break from caregiving. An individual is usually brought to the facility sometime during the day and then returns home with their caregiver in the evening.
A Remedy Adult Day Center offers opportunities for socialization while ensuring the individual is kept safe and their health care needs are met.
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