Paul and Marie Tremblay

Case Management Makes a Difference for ALS Patient and Spouse

by Abrah J. Salk

It was a sunny day in late summer when I met the Tremblays. Their house was welcoming with family pictures hanging on the walls and an old Western playing on the TV set. Paul Tremblay graciously greeted his case manager, Sara Loranger, and myself when we arrived for a visit. His wife of almost 59 years, Marie, sat in a wheelchair watching the TV. As I introduced myself to her, she warmly shook my hand and smiled.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I met the Tremblays. All I knew ahead of time was that Marie had ALS, which is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease. However, I didn't know much about the disease or the effects it had on its victims. Paul was more than willing to tell me about the disease and his involvement in educating the public and raising funds for ALS research.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. When the motor neurons die the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With all voluntary muscle action affected, patients in the later stages of the disease become totally paralyzed. Yet, through it all, for the vast majority of people, their minds remain unaffected. (This information was taken from http://www.alsa.org/ Additional information about this disease can be found at that website).

Paul has been going around to local businesses asking them to "sell" paper baseballs for $1. When purchased, the store/business owner hangs up the paper baseball for all to see and the money goes to aid research and awareness of this life altering disease.

For the Tremblays, it all began about 1 ½ years ago. Marie Tremblay, a very active and strong woman began falling all of the time. Without any reason her legs would give out and she'd wind up on the ground. Her husband Paul became very concerned and took her to see a specialist. She then was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Marie began to have less and less control over her body and finally lost total control over her legs. Paul then assumed total responsibility of taking care of her. Though a spry man, at age 84 Paul was overwhelmed and exhausted from lifting and carrying his wife in and out of bed. He would do this several times a day.

At the time, Paul and Marie were receiving "Meals on Wheels" from the Nutrition department at Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. As part of the Meals on Wheels program, each client is automatically assigned a case manager. As luck would have it, their case manager, Sara Loranger, visited them just at this time when Paul was struggling most. She immediately stepped in and helped them out. Through Coastline, Sara arranged for the Tremblays to get a Hoyer Lift so that Paul no longer needed to physically lift his wife. Sara also brainstormed with them and helped them figure out the logistics of moving Marie's bedroom to the first floor of their house.

"Coastline, they are great", Paul said with an emphatic nod of his head, "really helped us out". Marie nodded and smiled in total agreement.

This is just one of many stories of how Coastline's case managers help their clients. For further information on any of Coastline's Services, please call (508) 999-6400 or send email to information@coastlineelderly.org