Announcing a Caregivers of the Invasively Ventilated Telephone Support Group February 23 at 3PM!! By Sue Humphries,LMSW, Director of Care Services

The decision to choose invasive ventilation is a difficult one for many families dealing with ALS and a no-brainer for others. Sometimes the decision isn’t really made. It just happens in the emergency room.

However carefully considered the decision may or may not be, the challenges can be overwhelming to caregivers facing the addition of the many tasks that are required in addition to caregiving responsibilities they have already accepted.

In truth, because historically a relatively small number of people with ALS have traditionally chosen this option, services from our Association and Chapter have been limited. However, as ventilation equipment becomes more portable, we think the numbers of those choosing invasive ventilation are growing. The Care Services staff is beginning an effort to learn more about the number of persons in North Carolina with ALS who are invasively vented and we are considering ways to better support those families.

One of the first steps we are taking is to create a Caregiver Telephone Support Group for Invasively Vented people with ALS. We are doing it by telephone so that caregivers don’t have to leave their homes. I am the facilitator and the first group meeting is February 23. All a caregiver needs to do is go to a quiet place where they can hopefully be alone, pour themselves a cup of tea or coffee, dial a toll free number and I will be on the other end of the line to provide support, answer questions, sometimes introduce a speaker but always to connect those of you with this important caregiving responsibility to each other. We draw strength from numbers! Let’s talk!

P.S.  Be sure to visit our website for more information about our Chapter programs and events www.CatfishChapter.org”