ALS Registry
The National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry allows people with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, to fight back and help defeat the disease. By signing up, being counted, and answering brief questions about you and your disease, you can help researchers find answers to important questions. This video provides a patient’s perspective on the benefit of joining the ALS Registry.
Alternative Feeding
Know what options you have when you cannot adequately and safely eat by mouth. Educating yourself and making decisions like this early on can relieve household stress, increase your energy, and improve your quality of life.
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology refers to technology that can be used to assist you in your home or environment. This video will explain items that can be used in your home to allow you to do everyday tasks (e.g., turning on the TV, opening the front door) more easily.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Learn about the different types of communication strategies that can be used to assist you with communication if speech becomes more challenging. Understanding these options can help improve your quality of life by making your needs understood.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Eye Gaze Demo
Learn about the different types of communication strategies that can be used to assist you with communication if speech becomes more challenging. Understanding these options can help improve your quality of life by making your needs understood.
Bathroom Adaptations: Moderate Weakness & Severe Weakness
Moderate Weakness
Watch VideoSevere Weakness
Watch VideoHome modifications and setup are often needed to allow safe access throughout the home. These two videos ("Bathroom Adaptations: Moderate Weakness" & "Bathroom Adaptations: Severe Weakness") will identify basic equipment that can help you continue to move safely in your bathroom. Equipment that can be used during the transition of this disease from mild/moderate weakness to severe weakness is discussed.
Breathing Support in ALS (Part 1)
Lung Function: Educate yourself on how lungs work and how ALS can impact your lungs.
Breathing Support in ALS (Part 2)
Devices and Tracheostomy: Learn about the types of breathing support systems that are tools to help improve your quality of life.
Cannabis and ALS
Learn about the latest evidence related to the use of cannabis and ALS.
Cough Assist Machine: Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation
Watch this demonstration on how to use a Cough Assist Machine. This device is a helpful tool for patients who have difficulty taking deep breaths.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can be disconcerting for individuals with ALS. Learn what may happen with swallowing during the progression of ALS. More importantly, learn how to make swallowing food and liquids easier, less stressful, and safer.
Eating Recommendations
Explore the importance of nutrition and ALS. ALS requires high calories and frequent meals. You will learn strategies to meet the eating recommendations for ALS.
Energy Conservation
Do you wonder why you feel fatigued with ALS? Learn some energy-conservation techniques that can help you manage your fatigue better. Understanding the physiology (or how the body works) with ALS will help you understand how to manage your day-to-day activities with increased safety and energy.
Genetic Factors of ALS
Learn about genetics as it relates to ALS, the types of genetic testing, known risk factors for ALS, and the differences between sporadic & familial forms of ALS (as well as the potential impact these genetic forms can have on your family members).
Getting Up from the Floor
While we focus on having you not fall, we recognize that falls do occur. This video will provide different techniques to aid someone getting up from the floor.
Insurance and Disability
Managing insurance and disability can be confusing. Learn the basics of managing your insurance and disability plans.
Laryngospasm
A laryngospasm is a spasm of the vocal cords that can cause difficulty breathing. This video describes a laryngospasm from a patient’s perspective and how to manage these spasms.
Lifting Techniques
Understanding the principles of proper lifting techniques can assist in protecting both caregivers and patients from injury. Learn a few different techniques that may assist you.
Modified Heimlich Maneuver: Assisted Cough
Choking is often a scary problem for individuals who have difficulty swallowing. This technique will enable you to assist your loved one should choking occur.
Oral Hygiene
Learn the benefits of oral hygiene and the importance of oral hygiene is keeping you healthy during the progression of this disease. Learn strategies to help you maintain independence in brushing your teeth, and learn techniques to help you sustain your oral hygiene over the course of this disease.
Patient Lift System
A patient lift system is a tool that can aid patients and caregivers in safely maneuvering from one surface to another. Learn how to use a patient lift system.
Planning Goals and End of Life Part 1: Paperwork and Preparing
Identify what forms may be useful in planning for your end of life, such as the Advanced Directive form.
Planning Goals and End of Life Part 2: Planning and Coping
Planning for end of life is difficult. Learn strategies to help you cope during this difficult time.
Power Wheelchair
A power wheelchair may be a device that is recommended for individuals with ALS. Learn what type of wheelchair is recommended and what some of the adaptations for a power wheelchair are.
The Progression of ALS: Resources across the Continuum
We, at the multidisciplinary clinic, understand the challenges of a diagnosis like ALS. We seek to provide you with an overview of common questions about the process of living with ALS and death and dying. We discuss resources to help you across the continuum including understanding palliative and hospice care.
Proper Mask Fit for a Bi-Pap or Ventilator
Learn how to fit and place a Bi-Pap mask. The tips in this video will allow you to experience improved breath support and comfort.
Pseudobulbar Affect
Pseudobulbar affect, or PBA, is a common disorder with ALS that is associated with increased laughing or crying. This video will describe what PBA is and the available treatment options.
Rolling Shower Chair
Understand how a rolling shower chair may assist someone with moderate to severe weakness.
Stretching
Stretching is an important part of exercise that can help patients maintain their range of motion and reduce pain. Learn how to stretch throughout the progression of this disease.
Tools for Daily Activities
Learn some tips and tricks for living with ALS that can help you to complete your daily activities more independently and with less fatigue.
Wheelchair Cushions
Wheelchair cushions are critical pieces of equipment for comfort and support. Explore the different types of wheelchair cushions, and find out how to get the most out of your cushions and to manage your cushions.
Contact Us
Department of Neurology
Neuromuscular Division
Phone: 801-585-6387
175 North Medical Drive E
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
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