Charity supplies ALS patients with free equipment
Nov 30, 2012, 1:27 PM | Updated: 1:27 pm
For patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the cost of necessary equipment can be exorbitant.
Enter the ALS Association of Arizona and the medical equipment loan closet.
“Inside that closet, we have power wheelchairs, ramps, bidets, handrails, bed rails. Everything needed as the patient progresses with the disease,” said Taryn Norely of the ALS Association of Arizona.
Norely estimated that her organization has about $70,000 worth of equipment in some patients’ homes.
ALS works slowly, affecting patients’ bodies, often leaving them paralyzed but their brain fully intact. Norely said her organization seeks to keep patients at home as long as possible.
“We have care services — a director and coordinator — and they will actually come out to your house, visit with you and assess the house,” she said. “They look at what you may need to help you get around your home. We really want to keep people independent so that they can stay at their homes and with their loved ones.”
Some ALS patients’ needs are not covered by Medicare or insurance.
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To donate to the ALS Association of Arizona, go to azals.org.
