About who needs care: My husband, Larry, is 63 years old and has late stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) commonly known as Lou Gehrigs Disease. His mind is 100% intact, he has a delightful sense of humor, and is an excellent card player. His body, however, is nearly 100% paralyzed. He does have use of his eyes and communicates very well with his eye gazer computer. He also has control of his bladder and bowels, though he requires total assistance. He no longer eats or drinks by mouth but gets all the nutrition he needs through his feeding tube. Larry does have some torso control in that he can sit up straight without a harness but if he leans to one side he needs assistance to get back to center. At night and during naps, Larry uses a Non-Invasive Volume Ventilator, much like a C-pap. Larry has a power wheelchair which is his home when he is out of bed. He can no longer operate it so there are two controls - one in back for the Caregiver to operate. He also has a rolling shower chair. He must be Hoyer-lifted in and out of bed and the chairs. I can do this myself, but I understand that the State requires 2 people for this task. I am Larrys primary Caregiver. I am still physically strong except for the rheumatoid arthritis that has swollen and weakened my fingers thus making some of Larrys caregiving requirements painful and a few impossible. Up to now, privately hired, self-paid Caregivers are able to do these tasks along with his other needs but I do the bulk of the caregiving which is becoming more and more difficult as his condition continues to deteriorate. I would be grateful for a response at your earliest convenience. Many thanks, Roxane About the care needs: Good sense of humor. Willing to learn or knows how to use feeding tube, hoyer lift, power wheelchair, toileting assistance, C-Pap, suction machine, Services needed include: feeding, bathing / dressing, and mobility assistance.
Mobility Assistance
Bathing / Dressing
Feeding