Ontario Client Service & Equipment Program Lisa Droppo, Vice President Client Services CADA, June 22, 2016

What Is ALS? A fatal neuromuscular disease Nerve cells degenerate, causing muscle atrophy and paralysis until respirations cease No known cause. No cure. 90% of ALS cases are sporadic 1000+ patients in Ontario

ALS Can Strike Anyone The incidence rate 2/100,000 people per year ALS can strike both men and women ALS affects all ethnic and socio-economic groups ALS can strike young or very elderly adults but is most commonly diagnosed 40 – 70yrs

Life Expectancy ALS is an individual disease – everyone progresses differently 80% 2 to 5 years 10% more than 10 years A few die within only a few months Most Common Cause Of Neurological Death In Canada

Symptoms Can include: Muscle weakness and atrophy Muscle cramps, stiffness, twitching Weakened reflexes, decreased coordination Difficulty swallowing Difficulty speaking Difficulty breathing Excessive fatigue Drop foot Lability / pseudobulbar affect

What Is Not Affected Bowel / bladder function Cognitive status may not be affected Sexual function Vision / eye movement Sensory system

ALS affects the whole family Impact And Challenges ALS affects the whole family Costly equipment, home modifications, care: $150,000 - $250,000+ per client 80% of the burden of care is shouldered by family members ALS is a drain on the physical, emotional, and financial resources of family caregivers

Physical Challenges Personal Care Transportation Housekeeping, errands Communication Manual Dexterity Fatigue Complications Sudden progression

ALS Canada’s Services 100% donor funded Equipment Program Support Groups Home Visiting Advocacy Bereavement Support Education Resources, Referral Research 100% donor funded

Overview of Ontario Equipment Program Purpose - Provide access to basic & essential assistive equipment through: Loan of Used Equipment (Loan Pool): Available for all clients regardless of household income Helps clients obtain needed equipment Reduces the financial burden Funding Support (based on household income): Lease Assist with the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) client portion of manual & CEP power wheelchairs after access of all other third party funds Assist with the annual lease of communication devices through Central Equipment Pool Rental - Assist with the renting of one straight stair glide

Designated Equipment List Major categories Items include the following: Bathroom Aids Shower Commodes, Bath lifts, Bath Chairs, Versaframes, Tub Transfer Benches Mobility Aids Wheelchairs (transport, manual and power driven), Scooters, Walkers Patient Lifts Transfer systems like Mechanical/Power 'Hoyer type' lifts, Ceiling track lifts, Free standing lifts Miscellaneous Lift chairs, hospital beds, pressure relief surfaces, portable ramps Communication Most types of communication devices are available on lease through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) Patient elevating devices such as Porch Lifts and elevators are not funded under the program.

Equipment Donations We accept the following items if less than 5 years old: Hospital Bed Hospital Mattress Hoyer Lifts Tilt Shower Commodes Wheeled Commodes Stationary Commodes Transport Chairs Bath Lifts Scooters MWC MWC-Tilt PWC Superpole Walkers Small items (tub transfer bench/ bath seat/versaframe) with others

Equipment Program - Highlights In 2015, 606 clients accessed the equipment program 2650 equipment requests, 20% more than 2014 1394 pieces of equipment were loaned to clients (loan pool) 244 pieces of equipment were purchased 98 pieces of equipment were rented 57 pieces of equipment were leased ALS Canada received donated equipment for the loan pool valued at over $172,000 Donated: 67 wheelchairs 40 beds 25 easy lift chairs 22 commodes 5 hoyer lifts Total program cost approx. $800,000

How We Work With CADA Members Storage of equipment for loan pool in 6 locations Relationships with over 25 vendors: Equipment cleaning and safety checks Delivery and pick-ups Packaging and shipping Appraisal of donated equipment Rent stair glides Purchase of new equipment for loan pool 3rd party funder for CEP mobility devices Work closely with OTs who assess and prescribe equipment Receive equipment donations for loan pool

How CADA Members Can Help Donate slightly used or demo equipment Help us achieve our delivery time targets Offer reduced prices for purchased items Indicate an interest to work with us as we have gaps in some areas of the province Work with us to create sustainable vendor contracts and a sustainable program Deliver excellent customer service to our clients and us Communicate with us – e.g. company and rate changes

Questions for CADA Members What pieces of equipment do you believe are essential for clients? How can we make it attractive to vendors to sign agreements with us? What further information regarding the equipment program would you find helpful? What additional feedback do you have?

Vice President, Client Services Lisa Droppo Vice President, Client Services ldroppo@als.ca 905-248-2052 ext. 215