Coping with ALS
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Psychological Aspects
Coping with a terminal illness such as ALS can become quite emotionally draining for people with ALS and their families. The thought of losing physical function combined with financial concerns and quality of life issues can compound and create additional stress.
The ALS Center's team of caregivers is willing to listen to the concerns of people with ALS and their families. Social workers are just one part of the care-giving team who can offer treatment in a compassionate setting.
Social workers provide personal support to people with ALS and their families by offering:
- Short-term counseling and referrals for ongoing counseling.
- Information about home care assistance services and assistive devices.
- Recommendations of community resources and local and national agencies that offer both information and support for ALS.
- Financial resource information.
- Home care assistance
Services is available to discuss home care options, including a visiting nurse, home health aid or physical and occupational therapists. Some insurance companies cover these expenses.
Hospice is a service available when a person with ALS needs more intensive care. The hospice offers nursing services, home health aides, social work services and pastoral care.
Alternative options can be discussed when people with ALS need more care than can be provided in the home.
The ALS Association27001 Agoura Road
Suite 150
Calabasas Hills, CA 91301
(818) 880-9007
www.alsa.org
National ALS Foundation, Inc.
185 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016
(212) 679-4016
If you learn from your suffering,
and really come to understand the lesson you were taught,
you might be able to help someone else who's now in the phase you may have just
completed. Maybe that's what it's all about after all
~Anonymous~
