The ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter offers the following programs and services to individuals and their loved ones living with ALS. We serve Northern Illinois and many areas of Central Illinois. Our Care Services team is here to work with you and your family to effect solutions based on your unique needs.

 
CARE SERVICES INCLUDE:
Home Visits
Our professional and highly skilled Care Services Coordinators visit
people with ALS in their homes to provide disease education, emotional support,
safety evaluations, assistance with care management, resource and equipment
needs, valuable interventions, and ongoing support. To request a Home Visit, please contact a Care Services Coordinator.
New! Schedule a Skype Appointment with a Care Services Coordinator
We are now offering virtual appointments for patients. Have the conversations you need to, face to face, with our 
Care Services staff members from the convenience of your own home. All you need is a device equipped with a 
webcam and Skype, which you can download and use for free! The service is available for a wide range of 
devices, including computers, tablets/iPads, and SmartPhones. 

 
Support Groups
Monthly support groups are offered to our patients and their family
members. Our groups provide an opportunity for those affected by ALS to discuss
issues and feelings, exchange and learn new information, and provide support to
one another. Support groups facilitated and hosted by the Chicago Chapter are 
listed below, along with their locations, dates and times:







Riverside 
Chicago / Rush 
Rockford


Location

 Village of North Riverside Center  
 2401 S. Des Plaines Ave.
 Riverside, IL 60546

 Tower Resource Center
 (Tower, Suite 04527)
 1620 W. Harrison St.
 Chicago, IL   60612


 OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
 5666 E. State St.
 Rockford, IL   61108



Date
 Third Saturday of every month
 Third Thursday of every month 
 Fourth Saturday of every month


Time
 10 am until 12 pm
 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm
 12:00 Noon until 2:30 pm






Patients, their family members, friends and caregivers are welcome to attend
the support groups. The groups are an opportunity to meet others, learn about
new information and resources, and provide or receive support and
encouragement. Guest speakers attend some of our supports groups, and talk
about their area of expertise as it relates to individuals living with ALS. 

For more information, or to RSVP for our Support Group, please contact a Care Services Coordinator.

Information and Educational Materials

The Chapter has an extensive library of educational materials to support the families that we work with. We have a list of community resources and referrals, and  free library of books, videos and DVDs. Our local and National Office websites are also a useful educational tool, and can be visited at: www.alsachicago.org, and www.alsa.org.

The Virginia Perlow Medical Equipment Lending Program

The Medical Equipment Program offers the evaluation of patients’ needs for an appropriate piece of medical equipment. We have a lending program of specific medical equipment items that are available for those who lack health insurance coverage, have limited coverage, or are experiencing a delay in getting a particular item through their insurance carrier.

The Transportation Grant Program

The Transportation Grant Program assists patients and caregivers with transportation services in our coverage area of Illinois. As ALS progresses and a person is no longer able to drive, transportation becomes a vital part of their well being. This program helps to reduce expenses associated with transportation.

Professional In-service Presentations

An array of community service providers need to know about ALS and how to help care for someone with the disease. Our Care Services department will gladly speak to home health care providers, nursing homes, emergency response providers, doctors, nurses, or anyone who would like to learn more.  

The ALS Clinic at University of Illinois Medical Center

In August of 2007 we began a partnership with Dr. Julie Rowin from University of Illinois Medical Center to create a monthly ALS Clinic. As a result of forming this partnership, we are reaching more of the ALS population, increasing awareness about ALS, and providing a variety of services needed by those living with ALS. In January of 2013, Dr. Qin Li Jiang became the director of this clinic. 

The ALS Clinic functions from a multidisciplinary approach whereby the patient not only has an opportunity to discuss their medical needs with Dr. Qin Li Jiang, but with a comprehensive team of medical professionals that are well versed in ALS. The multidisciplinary clinic team includes a neurologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, respiratory therapist, nutritionist, social worker, coordinating nurse, and chapter staff. The clinic team provides care plans and helps patients in the management of their disease.

The ALS Clinic at The University of Chicago Medical Center

In April of 2009 we began a partnership with Dr. Raymond Roos, the Marjorie and Robert E. Straus Professor of Neurological Science, Director, ALS and Motor Neuron Disease Clinic, Department of Neurology at The University of Chicago Medical Center to create a bi- monthly ALS Clinic. Patients have access to a team of medical professionals including Drs. Betty Soliven and Kourosh Rezania, as well as Dr. Roos to oversee their care using a multidisciplinary approach.

This multidisciplinary approach allows the patient to see a team of medical professionals all in one day within about a two or three hour timeframe. This eliminates the need for making many different appointments with various medical professionals. Most patients attend the ALS Clinic once every 3 months, but depending upon the progression of their illness, a patient may be required to attend the clinic more frequently.

For additional information about our Care Services Programs, please contact:

The ALS Association-Greater Chicago Chapter
220 West Huron St., Suite 4003
Chicago, Illinois 60654

312-932-0000 (phone)
312-932-1155 (fax)