Alisa
At this point I would suggest the AbleNet CandyCorn switch. It is a proximity sensor and we have used it successfully with such patients. Placing it by the patient's cheek would allow the patient to activate it by pushing her tongue into her cheek. This has worked with even patients who are intubated.
You can pass on my contact info if they need more info.
All the best
Richard

Richard Hurtig, PhD, 
ASHA Fellow
Professor Emeritus
The University of Iowa
Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 1, 2015, at 11:36 AM, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org> wrote:

Any suggestions for this writer?

Thanks

 

I am a nurse at a chronic care hospital and am currently caring for a woman with advancing ALS.  She has been using an EZ touch type of call bell, but is having an increasingly difficult time moving her head even the 2-3 mm needed to use it, especially when fatigued. She would be unable to use any puff/straw type of call bell because she is on a vent.  She is able to move her eyebrows vigorously at this time, but not much else.

 Do you have any information regarding more adaptive call bell systems that may be helpful for her?

     Thanks so much for any suggestions.

 

 

Alisa

 

Alisa Brownlee, ATP

Manager, Assistive Technology Services

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association, National Office and Greater Philadelphia Chapter

 

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