Tips for Caregivers of Patients Living with ALS

If one of the people you love has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), you probably have a lot of questions about what comes next. There are a lot of things to be prepared for, but you don’t need to go through this alone. Trace Medical has prepared the following tips to help you provide care for your loved one and yourself.

Seek Out Resources

You shouldn’t expect yourself to be an expert in ALS as soon as your loved one is diagnosed. But when you’re ready, there are plenty of resources available to help you understand the disease. If you can educate yourself on the basics of ALS, you’ll be in a better position to support your loved one as they move forward. We recommend you visit the ALS Association’s website to learn more about the disease and what you can do as a caregiver to help your loved one. 

Remember Your Loved One Is Still Them

ALS is a condition that impacts your loved one’s motor capabilities. Over the course of time, they will lose their ability to use their legs and arms, along with their ability to speak. And while their physical capabilities may deteriorate, they will retain their mental abilities and many of their other senses. Your loved one will be the same person you remember. They’ll keep their sense of humor, and they’ll still have the ability to communicate with you. You will need to make adjustments to accommodate their physical changes, but make sure to remember that despite those physical changes, they are still the person you love.

Don’t Forget To Care For Yourself

ALS is a diagnosis that impacts your entire family. Many caregivers feel the need to take as many responsibilities as possible to ease the burden on their loved ones. But your own mental and physical health are still important, because if you’re not your best self, you can’t be the best caregiver. We encourage you to seek out local support groups and to ask others for help so all the responsibilities of providing care don’t fall on your shoulders.

ALS will eventually impact your loved one’s ability to breathe on their own. At Trace Medical, we specialize in providing respiratory equipment to patients battling a variety of conditions, including ALS. Please contact us to let us know how we can help you.