Circle of Care Conference

Program – Sessions and speakers still being confirmed and will be  published by March 30, 2024.  Topics expected to be included:

ALS Defined for the Healthcare Professional

• Epidemiology, Clinical Features, Prognosis, Symptomatic Management, Diagnosing ALS, Referral to the ALS Clinic
• Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for the Management of ALS/Research Updates

Speaking Your Mind
Communication Solutions and Strategies (for healthcare professionals, people with ALS and their caregivers, family and professional caregivers, long term care staff.)

Drug Therapy and ALS

• What are the current drug therapies available to people living with ALS and how effective are they?
• What drug therapies are in the pipeline that are showing promise in early clinical trials?
• What is the purpose of eligibility requirements?
• Why people with ALS are sometimes treated with more than one drug at the same time.

Hope Breathes Here. (for healthcare professionals, people with ALS and their caregivers, family and professional caregivers, long term care staff.)
The inability to breathe and swallow properly can naturally be stressful and cause anxiety.  And yet the use of assistive equipment like a Bi-Pap machine, a Cough Assist, and Suction machine can improve energy and quality of life.  The technology may seem more than you can handle as a caregiver or family member.  This session will be informative and includes a practical demonstration on the use of equipment.

Caring for people with ALS (for healthcare professionals, people with ALS and their caregivers, family and professional caregivers, long term care staff.)
Learn how to use a patient lift, nutrition, how to take care of a feeding tube, and many other practical tips on caring for a person with ALS.

Accessing the World: From wheeled mobility to technology.  (for healthcare professionals)

• Measuring an individual for a comfortable and appropriate fit.
• What assistive technology can be added to a wheelchair to help someone control their environment (turn on light switches, remotely control the television or thermostat, mount a computer, etc.)?