National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
HAP Partnership Impact
VA and the ALS Association help Veterans diagnosed with the progressive disease
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established a partnership with the ALS Association to improve the quality of life of Veterans diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
In addition to what VA offers Veterans diagnosed with ALS, this partnership promotes participation in ALS Association chapters, educates VA staff on best practices for ALS care, and creates ALS education materials and programs for Veterans. The collaboration also gives Veterans and VA health care teams more opportunities to participate in their communities and advocate for those affected by ALS.
Veterans are nearly twice as likely to develop ALS compared to civilians, regardless of branch or era of service. According to the ALS Association, evidence shows people who served in the military are at a greater risk of developing ALS than those with no history of military service.
ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing a loss of muscle control and physical function. Veterans with at least 90 continuous days of active duty and diagnosed with this chronic health condition are eligible for health care benefits through VA.
These health care benefits include prescriptions, medical supplies, and home improvement and structural alteration grants to make the home more accessible.
“The ALS Association was instrumental in helping us develop our program when we were getting off the ground,” said Dr. Ileana Howard, the outpatient medical director at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle and clinical associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
In 2012, the facility first noticed more Veterans coming in after VA recognized ALS as a service-connected disease. The facility staff changed how they provided services to the Veteran population, guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
Dr. Howard shared that in several instances, Veteran caregivers told the staff how they felt VA and the ALS Association team cared about their family because of the extensive support they got throughout the Veteran’s progressive disease.
In one instance, a Veteran caregiver found her husband unable to get out of bed for the first time since being diagnosed with ALS. Previously, the caregiver and her husband flew to the VA facility in Seattle to receive training and preparation in case this happened.
Using the equipment and coaching she got from the VA facility, she easily transferred him into a wheelchair, and they continued with their day. These resources allow patients and their families to remain functional and carry on in their lives without letting the disease dictate their situation.
“Veterans are some of the most selfless individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing,” Dr. Howard said. “It is a privilege to be able to give back in some small way and provide support for these individuals who suffer disabling diseases as a result of that sacrifice.”
The Veterans Health Administration’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships supports partnerships, like this one, that brings Veterans resources and helpful services. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/HEALTHPARTNERSHIPS/partnerships.asp.
External Link Disclaimer: This page contains links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
Posted February 24, 2022
