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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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?

17. Vice President, Client Services
Lisa Droppo
Vice President, Client Services
ext. 215