191: Top Tips For Working With Someone With ALS: PT And OT Perspectives!

We have a special treat for you today! Erin interviewed Renee Hetzler, PT, DPT, NCS and Bernadette Cummings, OTR/L, ATP who both specialize in working with people with ALS to have a conversation about caring for individuals with ALS. There are do’s and don’ts when working with this population and we wanted to bring it to you! If you’re someone who doesn’t see this population very often and you want to know what to focus on, the timeline of events you should be tuned into and how to prioritize your plan of care, this is the episode for you!  

Some of the topics discussed include:

• The types of ALS, initial symptoms, warnings signs and timeline
• Outcome measures and assessments to consider
• How to be prepared based on the timeline
• How to have conversations with the patients and their families
• Favorite equipment recommendations from PT and OT
• Exercise recommendations
• Resources for individuals with ALS and their families 
• ALS Association: https://www.als.org/
• Team Gleason: https://teamgleason.org/
• Muscular Dystrophy Association: https://www.mda.org/ 
• I AM ALS: https://iamals.org/
• Compassionate Care ALS: https://ccals.org/
• https://shower-buddy.com/
• https://razdesigninc.com/
• https://www.fawssit.com/
• https://www.etac.com/en-us/us/products/patient-handling/slings/molift-rgosling-toilet-highback/
• https://www.performancehealth.com/air-soft-resting-hand-splint
• https://www.performancehealth.com/rolyan-adjustable-wire-frame-cervical-collar#sin=35206
• https://www.amazon.com/DRIVE-Rollator-Walker-Removable-Storage/dp/B07TCTBLD9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
• https://kineticresearch.com/product/the-noodle-classic-afo/
• https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Lightweight-Transport-Wheelchair-Handbrakes/dp/B007WA1ZG4

And no need to take notes, we’ve got an info sheet with everything that was covered for you to download HERE