Here’s who you are likely to see while you’re here:

• A physician to assess your condition
• A nurse who coordinates your care to make sure you’re getting everything you need
• A nutritionist to talk about keeping your body nourished
• A respiratory therapist to help with your breathing
• A physical therapist to keep you strong
• An occupational therapist to show you how to do small but important things like getting dressed
• A social worker to make sure you and your family are getting the services you need
• A research coordinator to make sure you’re aware of (and enrolled in) ALS studies as you wish
• A speech pathologist to help you communicate
• A wheelchair seating specialist who helps you understand mobility options that can improve your quality of life
• A representative from ALSA’s Michigan chapter

Research has shown that active, aggressive management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis enhances patient survival, and that’s exactly what we do in the ALS Clinic.

The multidisciplinary team assesses the needs of each patient and develops an individualized care plan that addresses every step of the ALS journey. Once a patient is diagnosed with ALS, our team immediately begins its work implementing a wide array of clinical services designed to assist families and maximize patient health and function, including:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Nutrition
• Speech and swallowing
• Respiratory evaluations
• Social work

These therapies are crucial to maintain and/or improve function and reduce fatigue. We tailor and alter treatments, as needed, throughout a patient’s life. In addition to providing medical care, we also provide psychological support and education for patients and their families. We want ALS patients to be able to stay in their own homes for the duration of their disease. We also help you with preparations and strategies for the progression of the disease, so you can make your own decisions and maintain control over your life. 

We know that some patients are not fully covered by health insurance or have limited insurance and large co-pays. With ALS, there are many assisted devices for patients that may not be available to them due to financial reasons. We have a loaner closet for these patients so everyone, regardless of insurance, can use and benefit from these devices.

The generosity of Scott L. Pranger, a Michigan Medicine ALS Center of Excellence National Advisory Board Member, has led to the endowment and naming of the Stanford Morris ALS Clinic. ALS Clinic. 

The $2 million donation is in honor of Cathleen Pranger, wife of Scott and mother of Sam, who passed away in 2015 from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. She received her care from the Michigan Medicine ALS Clinic.

“The cost of my wife’s care was in excess of $2 million over her life with ALS, which were costs the insurance companies did not cover,” said Pranger. “I want to be able to help other families with the care their loved ones truly need and deserve.”

The role of the dietitian is to develop an individual program to provide adequate nutrients to maintain weight and prevent weight loss that may occur during the course of ALS.

The dietitian will determine how many calories, grams of protein, and fluids should be consumed each day. In addition, the dietitian can provide input on food consistency, supplementation, and tube feeding formulas.

The role of the speech-language pathologist is to assess speech and communication skills, implement strategies to enhance communication, and assure that persons with ALS can express their feelings, thoughts, and needs.

Instruction in the use of compensatory strategies (such as slowing the rate of speech, separating the syllables, and over-enunciating the speech sounds) can be helpful.

These strategies can also be augmented by communication devices such as magic writing slates, alphabet boards, picture boards, eye scanning boards, electronic devices with voice output, and even high-tech computerized devices.

Our speech-language pathologists will also conduct swallowing evaluations and offer safe swallowing strategies and suggestions.

The role of the social worker is to assess the impact of recent physical, emotional, and financial changes in persons with ALS and the family unit and how the patient and family are coping.

Current and future needs are addressed and suggestions for community resources are provided.

The role of the respiratory therapist is to obtain measurements of respiratory function and instruct the ALS patient and family in the use of therapeutic measures such as breathing exercises and assistive coughing and in the use of equipment such as a breathing tube.

The role of the physical therapist is to assist the patient in the areas of exercise, equipment, and safety. This includes patient and caregiver instruction in stretching and range of motion exercises to help maintain flexibility and reduce cramping.

The physical therapist may also recommend devices and equipment such as an ankle-foot-orthosis, a cane, a wheelchair, or a neck brace to help in maintaining mobility and independence.

Instruction in proper methods for moving, transferring, and lifting patients and recommendations for safety equipment including aids for transfers, lifts, grab bars and shower chairs are also provided. The goal is to promote the highest level of possible function, for as long as possible while avoiding fatigue.

The role of the occupational therapist is to provide persons with ALS options, resources, and information for maintaining independence in activities of daily living.

The occupational therapist assesses the patient’s functional abilities (range of motion, muscle strength, daily activity levels, and mobility) and performance in activity areas such as dressing, feeding, hygiene, and in the work environment.

Adaptive devices such as rocker knives, button hooks, handwriting aids, book holders, zipper pulls, key holders, reachers and grab bars may be recommended to assist weakened muscles, reduce fatigue, promote safety, and enhance life quality.