ALS Caregiver Tips

<p>Because of changes in the ability to swallow, a caregiver to someone living with ALS will need to assist with pureeing or modifying foods. In addition, the person with the disease should be sitting upright during mealtimes.&nbsp;Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig&rsquo;s disease, causes muscle weakness and affects an individual&rsquo;s physical function. This includes the ability to swallow and this difficulty can, in turn, lead to malnutrition and dehydration.&nbsp;People living with ALS need to choose foods that are not only nutritionally appropriate but also have the appropriate textures.</p>

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ALS Caregiver Tips

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<p>If you or someone you love is seeking home care services, call&nbsp;<a target="_blank" class="c-link" data-stringify-link="tel:8884045191" data-sk="tooltip_parent" href="tel:8884045191" rel="noopener noreferrer">(888) 404-5191</a> or complete our online form.</p>

<h2>Our In-Home Care Experts Recommend to Keep Moving</h2> <p>As muscle movement deteriorates progressively with ALS, our in-home caregivers can assist with mobility and transferring the person living with the disease from a sitting or lying down position to standing or getting in and out of a wheelchair.</p> <p>&ldquo;Part of maximizing your function and comfort lies in preventing or minimizing joint discomfort and addressing any painful areas quickly,&rdquo; state the authors of the ALS Association manual, &ldquo;Living with ALS: Functioning When Your Mobility is Affected.&rdquo;</p> <p>The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) explains that exercise in the earlier stages of ALS can provide &ldquo;physiological and psychological boosts.&rdquo; Note that people diagnosed with ALS should consult with their healthcare provider to discuss what type of exercise is best and safe. For some people living with ALS, a daily walk may be all that is possible and advisable and other might prefer water-based activities in a supervised pool for cardiovascular activity.</p>

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<h2>Helpful Advice from Homewatch CareGivers</h2> <p><em>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.</em></p> <p>ALS will cause changes in a person&rsquo;s ability to eat, communicate, and exercise. Care for someone living with ALS can require a great deal of patience and understanding.</p> <h2 data-item="i" data-key="242">ALS &amp; Communication</h2> <p>ALS (Lou Gehrig&rsquo;s disease) does not affect the senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch). Caregivers for someone living with this disease will need to be patient when waiting for a reply to a question or other interaction and not assume that the person did not see or hear something.</p> <p>Speech is affected by Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at some point during this progressive neuromuscular disease. More commonly called Lou Gehrig&rsquo;s disease after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it in 1939, ALS affects the muscles used for movement, speech, breathing, and eating.</p> <p>A family caregiver or professional caregiver can help with communication with doctors and others, and there are many communication devices to choose from when it becomes too difficult to talk.</p>

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Our In-Home Caregivers Can Make Eating Easier