Respite is a service that provides family caregivers with time away from their caregiving responsibilities. Everyone needs “me” time to relax and reboot - this is especially true for family caregivers, who are often stretched thin emotionally as well as physically by the increased demands illness places on the family. Respite gives the caregiver a chance to meet his or her own needs, which benefits both the caregiver and the care recipient.
The costs of medical care and assistive technology can be staggering, even if you have health insurance. If you don’t have health insurance, though, it can be difficult to know where to start. Thanks in large part to The ALS Association’s advocacy, the Medicare wait time eliminated. It isn’t easy to navigate the Medicare system, but it’s important that people living with ALS start this process as early as possible. Learn more.
Even though a diagnosis of ALS is presumed to be service connected, the veteran must still apply for benefits and enroll in the VA health care system. It’s important this be done as soon as possible after diagnosis since benefits, including compensation, are retroactive to the date of application for new applicants. Learn more.
The Line provides free, direct telephone access to insurance and benefits experts who can help with navigating eligibility and enrollment in disability benefits and overcoming insurance coverage and financial burdens that impact access to care.
“I will do anything for this cause in memory of my wife and so I’m especially honored to announce the Donna J. Seggebruch Legacy Challenge!” - Steve Seggebruch
An ALS diagnosis brings a lot of changes, including financial ones. Medical bills increase, income often decreases and there are questions about everything from insurance coverage to estate planning. One thing that doesn’t change is the government requirement to pay taxes. If you have an income, you have to file an income tax return. Learn more.
Hospice is a model of care that focuses on providing physical and emotional comfort to people who are dying, and on supporting their families, during the end-of-life period.
My mother told me she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, the weekend that I graduated from law school. At the time I didn't even know what it was.