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It’s easy for people with ALS and their families to become overwhelmed by their wide range of needs, from everyday errands to making meals, maintaining their home, getting children to and from school, and so much more. It’s hard to know when and how to ask friends and neighbors for help, and how to organize their availability. And for those who want to offer a helping hand, it’s difficult to know just what is needed and how you can make a difference.
The Care Connection program is simple: it’s a network of volunteers from the community – friends, neighbors, members of community organizations like your church, or other service groups – that provide help for the person with ALS and his or her family, and often give the caregiver a break from their day-to-day responsibilities.
The program provides a plan for organizing help, training and information about what approaches tend to be most effective. The Care Connection uses a website – lotsahelpinghands.com – that allows volunteers to sign in and see the community calendar where tasks have been posted by a volunteer coordinator. It’s easy to see what people have already committed to do and what still needs volunteers. The website shows activities based on type of need (meals, rides, babysitting, grocery shopping) and calendar days, and it’s simple to use.
Watch this video about the program. Call your local ALS Association chapter to see if they’re featuring the Care Connection, or contact the national office of The ALS Association for more information. The office is open every business day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time, at (800) 782-4747. You may also email at [email protected].
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The ALS Association South Carolina Chapter
