Adapting Your Environment

Living with ALS can make everyday tasks that once required little thought or effort a challenge. Environmental modifications can help you to stay safe and retain your independence for as long as possible.

Home modifications can be permanent or temporary, low‐tech or extremely sophisticated. Some are easy and inexpensive to implement; others require major renovations and are costly. Many families rely on a range of solutions to meet their needs.

These videos have been developed to introduce and explain ways you can remain independent and safe in your own home during your ALS journey. More in-depth information is listed after the videos, and we strongly encourage you to follow up with your local chapter and ALS clinic team for more information.

Home Modification: Planning for Accessibility

Adapting your living environment to meet your changing needs will be necessary as ALS progresses. Equipment can be used to facilitate safe access to the bathtub or shower and toilet. Here, mobility equipment specialist Aaron Devendorf discusses home modifications that can help you to stay safe and retain your independence for as long as possible.

Options for Accessing Your Home

As you plan for the changes in mobility that ALS brings, you will want to make a plan for getting in and out of your home as well as moving throughout the house. Learn more from Aaron Devendorf, mobility equipment specialist, about ramps, lifts and elevators as you prepare your home for the road ahead.

Tips for Safety and Comfort in the Bathroom

Caregiver Questions: Making Adjustments to Your Living Environment

Home adaptations impact every member of the household. As a caregiver for her husband, Kari Etchells has questions for mobility equipment specialist Aaron Devendorf about changes to their living environment that will likely be required.

Utilizing Smart Home Technology to Maintain Your Independence

For people living with ALS who do not have full mobility, technology can help with the activities of daily living. Home control systems can open doors, answer telephones and intercoms and operate a host of electronic devices.

Additional Information

For additional information about adapting your environment, please refer to the following resources:

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who participated in the filming of these videos.

Ellen Alires-Trujillo and Lorenzo Truijillo, Mark and Kathleen Weston, and Dale and Kari Etchells, for their time and for allowing us to share this very personal journey
The clinicians who shared their time and expertise
Our colleagues at The ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter
The staff at Accessible Systems in Denver, Colorado