ALS Society- Alberta

The ALS Society of Alberta is a non-profit organization dedicated to making each day the best possible day for people living with and affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It is the only non-profit organization in Alberta that provides support to those affected by the disease, and is the largest donor per-capita to the national ALS research program.

The Provincial office is located in Calgary as well as an office in Edmonton. The Society provides services in the Northwest Territories when required. The ALS Society of Alberta is also a member of the Federation of the ALS Societies across Canada.

The ALS Society of Alberta provides support to clients across the province. They provide assistance in the following areas:

Facilitation and Provision of Care
The health care system is complex and often difficult to navigate, even by those who work within it. Client services staff provide guidance and support to help people living with ALS and their families work through the maze of services as the disease progresses. Client services staff also regularly participate in multidisciplinary ALS clinics and are considered an integral part of the care team. When families seek assistance and need someone to become an advocate for their concerns during their ALS journey, client services staff often fulfill that role as well.

Providing Support
The Society's client services staff conduct home visits, lend support and stay connected regularly with families affected by ALS. Staff members often attend memorial services and support family members in the bereavement process.

Information and Referrals
The Society strives to be a central place for obtaining information relevant to ALS and services available to those affected by the disease. Individuals with ALS and their families frequently request help with information about ALS, with services that are available, with access to equipment, to home care and to other services.

Support Groups
The Society believes that by sharing frustrations, fears and inspirations of individuals and family members, barriers of isolation and loneliness can be broken. For this reason, the Society assists in the establishment of support groups whenever an interest in shown Groups may be co-facilitated by social workers and past individuals who have been affected by ALS. For dates and times of upcoming support groups, click here.

Equipment Loan Program
In collaboration with health care professionals and medical equipment vendors, the ALS Society is able to support the rapidly changing needs of Albertans affected by ALS. Through our provincial loan program we are able to assist people affected by ALS by lending power mobility devices, assistive communication devices, and other medical equipment. The equipment loan program is free of charge, to ensure support is available when needed. The Society covers the costs of delivery and pickup, and once the person no longer requires the equipment, it is cleaned and returned to the loan pool.