If you have just been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, this equipment may be helpful for maintaining the best quality of life:
"Your ALS guide" lists the following as useful equipment:
Beds:
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Standard hospital bed
a special bed with side rails that can be raised or lowered by crank or motor in three separate, jointed sections, which allows you to lie in various positions
Note: Standard hospital beds must be prescribed in person by a doctor and supplied by a Medicare-certified medical equipment provider. For the first 13 months, you will be renting your hospital bed. After that, you will own it.
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Alternating pressure pad and pump
a device placed between the mattress and sheet that provides alternating pressure to help prevent and treat pressure sores
Note: Insurance will cover this if your doctor writes a prescription and letter stating that it is medically necessary.
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Over-bed table
often referred to as a “hospital table,” the base rolls underneath the bed so the table can be placed conveniently in front of you
Not covered by insurance
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Transfer Devices:
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Manual patient lift (hoyer lift)
a hydraulic, hand-pumped device that lifts you in a chair-like sling for transferring between wheelchair, bed, toilet, etc.
Covered by insurance
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Divided (split-leg) sling
a nylon or mesh hanging chair that attaches to manual and power lifts to support you
Covered by insurance
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Gait (transfer) belt
a belt that assists with transferring you between wheelchairs, beds, sofas, toilets, cars, etc.
Not covered by insurance
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Pivot (or transfer) disc
a disc that helps you slowly rotate in a new direction while standing in place; often used for getting in and out of a wheelchair from a bed, chair, car, etc.
Not covered by insurance
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Bed rail (bed cane)
a rail that slips between the mattress and box spring to assist you getting in and out of bed; it can also help you from rolling off the bed
Not covered by insurance
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Transfer board
a board that helps bridge the gap between a wheelchair and a bed, toilet, car, etc.
Not covered by insurance
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Power patient lift (hoyer lift)
a battery-powered, remote-controlled device that lifts you in a chair-like sling for transferring between wheelchair, bed, toilet, etc.
Not covered by insurance
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Transfer pole
a security pole running from floor to ceiling that can help you stand up from your bed, couch or toilet independently
Not covered by insurance
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ADL equipment or "Activities of Daily Life" equipment:
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Lift chair recliner
a remote-controlled recliner chair that helps you move between reclining, sitting, and lifted positions
Note: Lift chair recliners typically cost between $300 and $500. If you have a medical prescription for a lift chair recliner, Medicare will reimburse roughly $300, which covers the motor mechanism within the chair. Many people choose not to go through the reimbursement process and either buy them outright or borrow them.
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Button hook / zipper pull
a simple device that assists with buttoning and zippering clothes
Not covered by insurance
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Built-up utensils
soft foam utensils that are easy to grip with limited hand involvement
Not covered by insurance
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Rocker knife
a knife with a rounded blade attached to a large, easy-grip handle that allows you to cut food with one hand
Not covered by insurance
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Scoop plate / plate guard
devices that help keep food from falling off your plate; the rubber on the bottom prevents the plate from sliding around on the table
Not covered by insurance
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Reacher
a pole-like device that grabs items on the floor or otherwise out of reach
Not covered by insurance
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Universal cuff
an adaptive device worn on your hand to hold items such as utensils, razors, and writing tools
Not covered by insurance
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Long-handled shoehorn
a longer-than-normal shoehorn that can help slide your heel into your shoe without retying laces or bending as much
Not covered by insurance
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Braces:
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Neck brace
a brace that can help support your neck and head if your muscles are weakened
Covered by insurance
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Hand or wrist brace or splint
a brace or splint that gives extra support to your hand or wrist if your muscles are weakened
Covered by insurance
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Ankle foot brace
also called an ankle foot orthosis (AFO), it helps you walk with more stability, spend less energy, and be less likely to trip
Covered by insurance
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To learn more on ALS, please visit alscrowd.org
