ALS Patient Services |
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The ALS Recovery Fund seeks to aid families impacted by ALS by providing financial assistance to those in need of equipment and/or supplies. The Patient Care Fund is available to all residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach County diagnosed with ALS. Some of the items that the Patient Care Fund has assisted with include: Augmentative Communication EquipmentALS can cause weakness in the muscles involved in speaking and persons with ALS (PALS) may lose the ability to speak clearly or to speak at all. The ALS Recovery Fund will assist PALS with the purchase of different types of augmentative communication devices. To qualify for speech equipment, people must have an assessment by the Kessenich Family MDA ALS Center’s speech pathologist who can determine which type of equipment is most appropriate. Durable Medical EquipmentAs some durable medical equipment, including those that assist with bathing and toileting, are not covered by Medicare and coverage for other items is usually 80%, the "out-of-pocket" expense is often more than families can afford, the Patient Care Fund is designed to help alleviate these expenses by providing stipends for the purchase of durable medical equipment. RespiteRespite is defined as "an interval of temporary relief or rest." Respite care provides the primary caregiver time away from their care duties to promote well-being for both the caregiver and person with ALS and helps prevent caregiver burnout. It allows the primary caregiver time for rest, an opportunity to participate in social activities and/or to take care of necessary business, so that they can return to care giving with a renewed sense of well-being. The Patient Care Fund has provided grants to assist with respite care. The Patient Care Fund is designed to provide annual grants of up to $10,000 to assist those with the least resources to obtain needed services. When requests for grants are greater than available funding, those who have the least ability to pay privately for such services will receive awards. Disability level of the patient, number of additional dependents in the home, insurance benefits and/or financial resources and caregiver health will be taken into consideration in determining eligibility. The program helps families secure items that will help make care of the ALS patient a little easier. To apply for a grant, please click below. If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact Ginna Gonzalez, (305) 243-7400 or (800) 690-ALS1 Fax: (305) 243-1249 Email: GGonzal4@med.miami.edu Completed applications should be sent to: |