The ALS Society of Nova Scotia is dedicated to helping individuals with ALS who reside in Nova Scotia with information, help navigating the health care system, family support and our Equipment Loan Program.
The ALS Society of Nova Scotia Equipment Loan Program is designed to help people cope with the daily challenges of decreasing mobility and independence, through obtaining basic and essential assistive equipment. This includes mobility equipment, communication devices and respiratory equipment, as needed. The equipment loan program is available to clients who are unable to obtain equipment through other funding sources.
Do I qualify to use the equipment loan program?
How do I access the equipment?
Mobility Equipment is prescribed for the client by a qualified health care professional, such as an Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist, a Neurologist or Physiatrist, or in a rural area with limited resources, a Family Physician, by using the Equipment Request Form.
Communication Equipment –is prescribed for the client by a qualified health care professional such as a Speech Language Pathologist or a Neurologist or Physiatrist, or in a rural area, an Occupational Therapist by using the Equipment Request Form.
Respiratory Equipment (bi-pap machine) is prescribed for the client by a Respirologist. Clients are required to purchase their own masks ($300 - $400) or other disposable consumables that are mandatory to operate the respiratory equipment. Equipment set up fees (approximately $65) are the responsibility of the client. Should these fees be prohibitive to the client, an application can be made to the ALS Society for assistance. Respirologists, Respiratory Therapists, Neurologists, Physiatrists that prescribe a suction unit for a client are responsible for arranging or providing the education required to operate the equipment safely. ALSNS does not provide ventilators.
Feeding Tube Pumps are not available through the ALS Society of Nova Scotia.
Ceiling Track Lifts – The ALS Society of Nova Scotia does maintain a limited number of permanent ceiling track lifts for loan to clients. Equipment is prescribed for the patient by a qualified health care professional, by using the Equipment Request Form. The Society does not assume the financial cost of installment and retrieval of the permanent ceiling track lifts. The installation is to be coordinated by the Equipment Technician with a qualified installer in the client’s local area.
Our Equipment Loan Program also offers 2 post ceiling track systems and floor lifts for loan.
How Is the Equipment Delivered?
The Society requests that, if possible, the client or a representative pick up and drop off the equipment. This can help reduce costly delivery expenses. Smaller items may be mailed to the client.
In cases where pick up is not a viable option it will be delivered to your home (except for respiratory equipment – i.e. Bi-Pap machines) by the ALS Equipment Technician who will ask you to sign an Equipment Release Form.
The ALS Society requests that items are returned using the same process as for the delivery.
Respiratory equipment is delivered by a service provider who will set it up and show you how to use it.
There is no delivery fee to clients for equipment loans.
I Think the Equipment Needs to be Repaired
The ALS Society of Nova Scotia staff strive to ensure that your equipment is maintained and ready for use when it is delivered to you. However, from time to time, there is need for servicing. There is no charge for servicing. Please make your repair requests known to the Client Services Coordinator at 454-3636 or clientservices@alsns.ca
You will be kept informed of the status of your equipment. If, for any reason, the equipment will be out of service for an extended period of time, a replacement will be issued.
The ALS Society will not pay for unauthorized repair.
Except under specific circumstances, the ALS Society of Nova Scotia does not provide servicing for respiratory equipment (Bi-Pap machine). Contact the Client Services Coordinator for details. Any changes to the settings/parameters of BiPAP machines must be performed by qualified respiratory professional and any cost associated with this service is the responsibility of the client.
Equipment Return
If equipment is no longer needed, please notify the Client Services Manager as soon as possible for return details. The ALS Society requests that items are returned using the same process as for the delivery.
The ALS Society of NS provides free delivery and return of all equipment on loan from the Equipment Loan Program.
