Learning that a family member has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can turn your world upside down. Many people don’t know a lot about the disease, so they don’t know what to expect. One thing you need to know is that ALS is a progressive disease. That means the symptoms worsen as time goes on.
The progression of the disease varies. About 50 percent of people diagnosed with ALS live for three or more years. 20 percent live five or more years. Around 10 percent live longer than 10 years. Although the rate at which your aging relative’s disease will progress is unpredictable, you can expect them to go through three general stages. Understanding those stages can help you to know what to expect in the future and plan for it.
Early Stage
During the early stage of ALS, you can expect muscles to be weaker than they once were. They can also be tight, cramp, and twitch. Changes in the muscles may result in the older adult dropping things frequently. They might also trip and fall. Some movements needed to accomplish daily tasks might be difficult. For example, they may have trouble buttoning a shirt or tying their shoes. Some people have weakness in only one part of the body at first, such as an arm or leg. Typically, the next area to weaken will be the other arm or leg. Eventually, more areas of the body get weak.
Other symptoms of the early stages include:
- Fatigue.
- Balance problems.
- Slurring words.
- Poor grip.
Middle Stage
Muscle weakness in this stage affects more of the body than in the early stage. Some of the body’s muscles may even be paralyzed. Still, some muscles may not be affected at all yet. As muscles atrophy, the senior may experience contractures, which means they are unable to straighten some joints. At this point, the older adult may have difficulty walking and require an assistive device, such as a cane or walker. If they do fall, they will require help to get up.
Other things that can happen in this stage are:
- Trouble swallowing, which can cause choking.
- Breathing difficulties.
- No longer able to drive.
- Pseudobulbar effect, which is uncontrollable laughing or crying.
Late Stages
In the final stage of ALS, the older adult will require assistance with all daily tasks. Nearly all of their voluntary muscles will be paralyzed. When the muscles in the throat and mouth are paralyzed, they will be unable to talk, eat, or drink. They will require tube feeding.
Breathing is also more severely affected. Most people with ALS die because of respiratory failure. However, heart problems, malnutrition, and pneumonia are also common causes.
As the care demands of your aging relative with ALS increase, elderly care can assist family caregivers to take on the added challenges. Elderly care providers can help to move the older adult from their wheelchair to the bed, a chair, or the toilet. Elderly care providers can also help the senior to eat, dress, and bathe.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring HomeCare in Walnut Creek, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
Sources
Mda.org
Alsnewstoday.com
Alstexas.org
Alsa.org
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