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Inaugural ALS resource and education fair

Left: person sitting in a chair showing a mobile device to a person sitting in a wheel chair. Right: three people, 1 sitting, talking
Left: Speech-language pathologist Logan Cates, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Veteran John McCormack discuss how ALS can impact chewing and swallowing. Right: Veteran Byron Phillips and his daughter-in-law, Ray, discuss nutrition, hydration, and feeding tubes with registered dietitian Andrea Dahlberg, RDN, CNSC.
By Erin Stern, BAN, RN, CRRN, ALS Coordinator

In honor of ALS Awareness Month, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System ALS Center of Excellence hosted its inaugural Resource and Education Fair for Veterans with ALS, their family, and Caregivers.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The fair on May 10, 2024, focused on nutrition and hydration information for those with ALS. 

Seven Veterans and five family members and Caregivers had the opportunity to work directly with staff on various aspects of eating and drinking. Topics included how to navigate feeding tubes, work through swallowing issues, understanding feeding equipment, and tips on overall respiratory health.

ALS clinic staff plan to host this event quarterly and will cover a variety of different topics impacting Veterans with ALS throughout the year. 

Veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as compared to non-Veterans. ALS is a service-connected condition. 

The ALS Clinic, which is located in SCI/D Outpatient Clinic, serves approximately 60 Veterans with ALS and their Caregivers. Care is provided through face-to-face clinic visits and through virtual visits as needed. The ALS team is interdisciplinary, meaning the Veterans are seen by all disciplines from one location.