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A Guide for People Living with Als

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A Guide for People Living with Als A GUIDE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS sla-quebec.ca ALS GUIDE A GUIDE TO AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) ALS GUIDE INTRODUCTION Receiving a diagnosis of ALS can be overwhelming. You may day-to-day challenges of living with ALS. It is meant to experience many different emotions, and you may feel the complement your primary source of information – the need to learn more about how this complex disease will healthcare team managing your ALS. affect you. Some people want to know as much as possible, often right after diagnosis. Others prefer to take a gradual approach as changes occur and as the need for specific information develops. Take the approach that works best for you. Family members and close friends may also wish to learn more about ALS. The ALS Guide has been developed to provide practical information about ALS, its progression, and how people and families living with ALS can find solutions to help maintain independence. There are different versions of this guide. All of the content is the same except for the information about the local delivery of care and services, which can be different from province to province. The purpose of the ALS Guide is to help people and families with ALS plan for the physical, emotional, and financial challenges ahead and to offer tips and support for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This ALS Guide is a project of the Federation Thank you to the Client Services Committee and treatment, research and provincial Council of ALS Societies across Canada – for their diligence and hard work in specific information. Client Services Committee. developing this Guide. Each provincial ALS We hope that the ALS Guide provides you Society developed content for segments The 2019 edition of the ALS Guide in English and your family with helpful information. specific to their region. The ALS Guide is and French is built upon the premise of stronger as a result of all the thoughtful Diana Rasmussen, Executive Director, ALS previous editions of the ALS Manual, with feedback. Society of Manitoba and Chair of the Client new and exciting, up to date information. Services Committee Appreciation is also given for the language Thank you to staff at ALS Canada who editor, translators, and designer whose Lisa Droppo, Vice President, Client Services, researched and wrote the majority of the contributions were critical to this ALS Guide. ALS Canada and ALS Guide Project Manager. content with expertise from numerous healthcare providers and people living with This guide will be updated on an ongoing ALS, their caregivers and other experts. basis to reflect changes about ALS, care ALS GUIDE 2 ALS GUIDE HOW TO USE MY ALS SOCIETY PAGE 6 01 How the ALS Society in your province can THE GUIDE support you and your family through this journey. This guide is divided into seven main sections, which means you can refer easily ABOUT ALS PAGE 8 to the information you need when you need 02 Facts about the disease it. You may prefer to skim through the guide or choose certain sections to read first. AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS PAGE 15 03 The journey from diagnosis to planning It is not necessary to read the guide all at for the road ahead. Includes advice on once. You may pick sections that you want communicating the news, tips on coping, to read yourself and others you want to tools to help you plan, and information share with family, friends, and caregivers. on legal, social, and financial supports available. LIVING WITH ALS PAGE 36 04 Detailed information about major changes to the body and how to manage everyday routines. FOR CAREGIVERS PAGE 68 05 How caregivers can deal with common emotions, manage stress, and receive support. RESEARCH AND ALS PAGE 84 06 Research and clinical trials. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES PAGE 88 07 Additional reading suggestions are organized by topic. While every effort has been made to provide up-to-date content at the time of publication, certain information – particularly in the area of research and clinical trials – may change faster than we can update the guide. To stay updated, please refer to the ALS Society in your province and ALS clinical specialists from time to time for new information. Disclaimer: The information in this publication has come from sources that the ALS Society of Canada deems reliable and is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to replace personalized medical assessment and management of ALS. The ALS Society of Canada disclaims any liability for the accuracy thereof, and does not intend to disseminate either medical or legal advice. Throughout this publication, people with ALS are advised to consult with healthcare and legal professionals for medical and legal advice, respectively. ALS GUIDE 3 ALS GUIDE SECTIONS SUB SECTIONS 01 MY ALS SOCIETY 02 ABOUT ALS 2A What the Name Means 2B How ALS Affects the Body 2C How do You Get ALS? What Are the Risk Factors? 2D Diagnosing ALS 2E Spinal/Limb Onset ALS 2F Bulbar Onset ALS 2G ALS and Cognitive Changes 03 AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS First Steps: 3A Register with Your local ALS Society 3B Communicating the News Throughout the disease: 3C Strategies for Coping with ALS 3D Strategies for Helping Children Cope with ALS 3E Participating in the ALS Community 3F Your Healthcare Team 3G Planning for Your Illness 3H Financial, Social and Legal Assistance 04 LIVING WITH ALS 4A Overview 4B Tools for Staying on Track 4C Mobility and Independence 4D Swallowing, Nutrition and Oral Health 4E Speech, Communication and Assistive Devices 4F Breathing 4G Cognitive Changes 4H Relationships and Intimacy 4I End of Life and Advance Care Planning ALS GUIDE 4 ALS GUIDE SECTIONS SUB SECTIONS 05 FOR CAREGIVERS 5A Who Caregivers Are and What They Do 5B You Are Not Alone 5C Recognizing and Understanding Common Caregiver Emotions 5D Compassion Fatigue 5E Reducing Caregiver Stress and Compassion Fatigue 5F Taking Care of Yourself 5G Supports and Services for Caregivers 5H Dealing with Bereavement 5J Beyond Bereavement 06 RESEARCH AND ALS 6A Overview 6B Clinical Trials 6C Research Partners 6D Genetics and Research 07 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ALS GUIDE 5 ALS GUIDE 1.0 MY ALS SOCIETY WHO WE ARE Our Name The ALS Society of Quebec What We Do The ALS Society of Quebec offers a wide variety of services to families living with ALS across the province of Quebec. We: • Provide support and referrals for people with ALS and their loved ones • Fund research • Raise awareness of the disease among the general public, government officials, and medical and paramedical practitioners. Our Values AS A MEMBER OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL OF THE ALS SOCIETIES ACROSS CANADA, THE SOCIETY’S VALUES ALIGN WITH THOSE OF OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS AS WE AIM TO WORK WITH COMPASSION, EMPATHY, AND RESPECT THROUGH ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR. Where We Are 5415 Paré Street, Suite 200 Mount-Royal, QC H4P 1P7 Tel: 514 725 2653 Toll free in Quebec: 1 877 725 7725 Email: [email protected] Website: http://als-quebec.ca/ ALS GUIDE 6 ALS GUIDE OUR CLIENT SERVICES PROGRAMS Information Conferences Documentation Newsletters Resources, website and webinars Psychological Support Orientation and reference Bereavement support Toll-free line Support groups Teleconferences Technical and Financial Aid Residential adaptation Equipment assistance Financial contribution Respite Financial contribution program for children Information Regional information sessions Social activities Online community Online caregiver network Information, Guidance, and Referrals and which professionals may be involved in our members’ care. Conferences, discussion forums with specialists, and The ALS Society of Quebec welcomes individuals testimonials on relevant topics are offered to people with diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or ALS, to their caregivers, and to professionals. For information primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), and their caregivers, on upcoming dates, topics, and locations, please consult our living in the province. We provide general information website at http://als-quebec.ca/. about resources offered through the healthcare The ALS Society of Quebec is committed to accompanying system as well as community and governmental you every step of the way. We offer regular follow-up with resources that are helpful to people living with ALS. families living with ALS throughout the progression of the We help members navigate the healthcare system, illness with the aim of offering support and services that, in offering general information on typical care plans, tandem with those of other organizations, help to meet your including which types of services can be expected specific needs and improve your quality of life. ALS GUIDE 7 ALS GUIDE Support and Social Activities These modifications are focused on improving entrance and exit access to the home, access and Personalized support is available to all of our members safety modifications of essential spaces to allow throughout their journey with ALS. Whether in the completion of daily activities in a safe manner for form of one-on-one meetings, group gatherings, people who have a permanent disability. social activities, or conferences, we aim to satisfy the • Financial contribution for particular needs: This varying needs of our diverse members throughout annually renewable (November 1 to October the province at different locations, including some 31) maximum contribution of $500 assists hospital-based ALS clinics, Local Community Service with costs of special needs such as massage Centres (CLSCs), and rehabilitation centres. therapy, transportation to medical appointments, Keeping in contact with our members directly helps psychological support, etc. familiarize us with our members’ needs, which we • Financial support for respite services: This annually believe is crucial in helping us to be responsive and renewable (November 1 to October 31) maximum remain relevant. contribution of $1,500 assists with costs for respite home or institutional care and can be used all at Technical and Equipment Assistance once or over several instances.
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