Ontario Client Service & Equipment Program Lisa Droppo, Vice President Client Services

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. 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 • 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 LiftsTransfer systems like Mechanical/Power 'Hoyer type' lifts, Ceilingtrack lifts, Free standing lifts • MiscellaneousLift chairs, hospital beds, pressure relief surfaces, portable ramps • CommunicationMost 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

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