Safe at Home with the Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program

Compassionate In-Home Care Support for People Living with ALS

ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease and results in the ongoing loss of mobility, communication, breathing, swallowing, and independence with personal care.

As ALS progresses, the need for skilled in-home personal care increases significantly. Families often become full-time caregivers overnight, managing complex medical equipment, mobility transfers, communication devices, feeding assistance, and respiratory support.

While care at home is the preferred choice for many living with ALS, long-term home care is rarely covered by Medicare or most private insurance plans. Many families also do not qualify for state assistance programs.

The result:
Families face emotional stress, and overwhelming financial hardship.

The Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program

Our Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program helps people living with ALS remain safe, comfortable, and supported in the place that matters most -- home. By providing financial assistance for in-home caregiving and respite services, the program eases the physical, emotional, and financial strain ALS places on families. In-home care preserves dignity, promotes independence, and strengthens the entire family unit. Because when families facing ALS receive the right support at home, they gain more than practical care. They gain stability, relief, and peace of mind.

Why In-Home Care Matters

For many people living with ALS, remaining at home is more than a preference; it is essential to their emotional well-being, dignity, and quality of life.

1. Preserving Dignity and Independence
ALS gradually limits physical abilities, but it does not diminish a person’s identity, preferences, or voice. Receiving care at home allows individuals to:

• Maintain personal routines
• Make choices about their daily schedule
• Stay in control of their environment
• Preserve privacy during personal care

Home is a place of familiarity and autonomy, two things that become even more valuable as independence changes.

2. Emotional and Mental Well-Being
The progression of ALS can bring anxiety, grief, and uncertainty. Being surrounded by familiar spaces, personal belongings, and loved ones provides emotional stability during an otherwise unpredictable journey.

3. Strengthening Family Connection
ALS impacts entire families. In-home care allows spouses, children, and loved ones to remain closely involved in meaningful ways, not just as caregivers, but as family.

Professional in-home support can:

• Reduce caregiver burnout
• Allow family members to focus on emotional connection
• Provide respite and relief
• Improve overall household stability

When caregivers receive help, the entire family benefits.

Your Donations Support Local Families

“With the in-home care grant, I could get used to the idea that I actually needed in-home care. Hiring someone – a professional – to come into my home was a big leap for me. If I did not have the help of the in-home care grant, I would have continued to try to do things on my own. Access to the grant softened the blow of that mentality, of living with a new stage of ALS.”

—Doug Yocum

“I was in the dark about in-home care. When we began caregiving, we were mentally and physically exhausted, not sleeping through the night. I knew the best place for mom was in our home, but I also knew that we were overwhelmed.

Then, our social worker shared more information about ALS United Mid-Atlantic’s Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care program. This financial assistance enabled us to hire a trusted care team.

It made caring for Mom a little easier. I wish we had used it sooner because it was better for all of us as caregivers and for Mom as a patient."

—Debbie Salomon