The Foundation's goal is to help people with ALS and their family members deal with all aspects of this difficult disease. We realize that not all issues can be best addressed at ALS clinic appointments or support group meetings, therefore, the Foundation provides in-home visits by a licensed social worker and ALS nurse consultants. Some of the services provided by these staff members are listed below.

The Home Care and Community Services team is comprised of registered nurses who performs various functions for the Les Turner ALS Foundation. These include:

• Maintaining phone support for patients, families and professionals.
• Making home visits to assess the home environment for any needed adaptations and to facilitate family meetings.
• Consulting with home health agencies and hospices to coordinate care for patients.
• Providing in-services for home health agencies, hospices, case management groups, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
• Helping families evaluate residential facilities for patients.
• Providing assistance with a living will, medical power of attorney and end of life issues.

The Director of Social Services is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) , and part of the team, who assists patients and families with a variety of issues. The functions of the social worker include the following:

• Talking with patients and/or families regarding any changes in physical health, emotional well-being or job situation. This may also include discussions in which the LCSW can provide information regarding Disability, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and financial resources.
• Assisting the family in maximizing assistance for care of the patient. This may include accessing care through state-assisted programs or hiring a caregiver with out-of-pocket resources.
• Making home visits for counseling with patients and/or family members. Counseling may be for an individual, a couple or a group - such as a family meeting. These visits may be made on an on-going schedule, or on an as-needed basis.
• Consulting with parents and/or grandparents (at clinic, by phone or in a home visit) regarding the emotional care of children in the family who are touched by ALS. The LCSW can provide guidance on how to talk with children of all ages about the disease throughout the entire progression.
• Making home visits specifically to work with children whose family member (usually a parent or grandparent) has ALS.
• Providing consultation to other professionals working with ALS patients/families.
• Providing bereavement support as requested by family members.
• Providing assistance with a living will, medical power of attorney and
  end of life issues.

For more information, contact Claire Owen, Director of Patient Services at   cowen@lesturnerals.org   or (847) 679-3311.