Products for People with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

If you just found out you have ALS, your happiness depends on doing all you can to live independently for as long as you can. You’ll find products here that will help you do just that – as well as tools that will help you and your loved ones as your disease progresses.

Homecare Bedroom

• Hospital Beds (in semi-electric or full electric versions)
• Bed Accessories (choose from egg crate mattresses, low air loss and gel mattresses to help prevent and reduce bedsores)
• Over-Bed Tables (available in flat or tilting models)
• Bedside Commodes (with removable pails. Easily converted to be used directly over the toilet)
• Patient Lifts and Slings (assist in transfers from the bed. Available in manual and fully electric models)
• Trapeze Bars (hang over a bed and help you lift yourself to a sitting position or change positions)
• Lift Chairs (Assist patients with difficulty getting up from a chair. Come in numerous styles, fabric grades and colors)
• Safety Polls and Rails (offer stability when rising or sitting as well as from accidental falls)

Mobility Products

• Canes (for those who are independent enough to use a one-handed walking aid}
• Quad Canes (have a base with four points of contact on the floor to provide extra stability and support for people when walking)
• Forearm Crutches (used by those who have long-term or permanent mobility problem)
• Walkers (help you remain mobile by providing stability and support while walking)
• Rollators (walkers with wheels and brakes to eliminate having to lift the walker to walk. Brakes offer extra security when going down inclines. The walkers fold for transport and many have seats so users can sit and rest when they get tired)
• Manual Wheelchairs (available in a variety of styles and sizes. The standard basic wheelchair folds easily for transport, has locking wheels, detachable foot rests that swing-away for transferring, footplates, elevating leg rests and arm rests that are either permanent full length or removable desk length. Optional features include reclining backs, adjustable seat length, hemi or low seat frames, articulating footrests, solid tires and anti-tipping devices)
• Transport or Companion Wheelchairs (available in lightweight models and are designed to be pushed by the caregiver)
• Lightweight Wheelchairs (weigh much less than standard chairs and are easier to self-propel)
• Power Wheelchairs (motorized wheelchairs that are controlled by either a joystick or a puff mechanism. Primarily used by quadriplegics or people who cannot maneuver a regular wheelchair)
• Scooters or Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) (provide motorized transportation for individuals who either need or prefer power mobility. Scooters can be used indoors and outdoors and are available in both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive models. They also come in lightweight models that break down for easy transport)

Respiratory Products

• Oxygen (relieves low blood oxygen levels and improves mental functioning. Oxygen can be supplied as liquid, gas or with a concentrator)
• Concentrators (supplies 90 to 95 percent pure oxygen. The concentrators can be set to deliver a specific oxygen flow ranging from 1 to 6 liters per minute)
• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure units for patients with sleep apnea_
• BiPAP (differs from CPAP in that it is bi-level and enables the patient to enjoy a more natural breathing pattern. Patients have the option of decreased pressure during exhalation)
• Ventilators (maintains normal respiratory functions for patients who are unable to continue breathing on their own)

Aids for Daily Living (ADLs)

• Reachers
• Dressing Aids
• Velcro Buttons
• Zipper Pullers
• Door Openers
• Lamp Switches
• Key Turners
• Pill Dispensers/Cutters/Crushers
• Eye Droppers
• Long Handled Combs
• Bathing Tools
• Special Utensils and Dishes
• Kitchen Aids (designed to help open jars, containers and boxes)
• Kitchen Aids (designed to help open jars, containers and boxes)

Bath Safety Products

• Bedpans and Urinals
• Elevated Toilet Seats
• Bedside Commodes (stand-alone toilet seats with a removable pail. Can also be used directly over the toilet)
• Bath Chairs
• Transfer Benches
• Handheld Showers
• Grab Bars