Living With ALS

Caregiving

Caregiving changes over time. Safety, communication, respite, and honest assessment of what one person can do are part of good care.

Start with the problem

What problem are you trying to solve?

This question box finds a relevant ALS Hub page. It does not diagnose or provide medical advice.

Daily caregiving tasks

  • safe transfers
  • communication
  • respiratory equipment basics
  • feeding support
  • medication organization
  • positioning
  • skin protection

Sources: Caregiver resources · Caregiver education course

Caregiver injury prevention

Ask physical and occupational therapy to teach safe transfers, repositioning, use of a gait belt when appropriate, and mechanical-lift techniques. Equipment can reduce injury risk when a task exceeds one person’s safe capacity.

Sources: Caregiver resources · Mobility in ALS

Respite and burnout

Respite, support groups, home care, professional caregiving, and honest conversations about exhaustion are part of sustaining care. A caregiver’s health matters too.

Sources: Caregiver resources · Coping with ALS

Emergency planning

Keep a clear plan for respiratory equipment, transfers, feeding support, medication organization, emergency contacts, and what to do when care needs exceed one person’s capacity.

Sources: Caregiver resources · Caregiver education course

Sources & Further Reading

These source cards link directly to the original material. External websites open in a new tab.

This information is for education and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or emergency care.

Last reviewed: 09-30-2026

Medical information should be reviewed periodically as guidance, benefits, and equipment options change.