THE ALS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

JANUARY 24-26, 2008

The 2008 Clinical Track’s 45 sessions offer a four-pronged line-up: Clinical Issues in Patient Care, Practical Technologies and Interventions, Living with ALS, and Issues for Medical and Allied Health Professionals.

A sampling of the topics along each prong…

Clinical Issues in Patient Care: Sessions on this prong include research updates, best practices, discussion about approaches to care, and service delivery models. The conference will feature three sessions designed to equip those new to the provision of services to people with ALS with foundational information.

The Nuts and Bolts of ALS		Nutrition and Feeding
Cognitive Dysfunction in ALS		Respiratory Issues and Care
Environmental Risk and ALS		Symptom Management
Complementary Therapies		Diaphragm Pacing

Living with ALS: The individual, every member of the family, every friend, and every decision after a diagnosis of ALS is impacted by the inevitable course of ALS. Sessions focusing on the myriad implications of ALS for daily living include the following, and many more:

Palliative Care and Hospice		Quality of Life and Well-being
Psychological Issues		Federal Benefits for Veterans
Advance Planning and End of Life		Care and the Caregiver
Advocacy		Children’s Issues with ALS and Grief
Telemedicine & Rural Outreach

Practical Technologies and Interventions: These sessions will provide practical tips for understanding supportive technologies and equipment, assessing need, and making appropriate recommendations. Many of these will be hands-on or smaller group formats.

AAC Solutions		Telephone Options
Home Accommodations		Eye Tracking Technology
Wheelchairs and Seating Systems		Low-Cost and Free Computer Utilities
Best Practices for Occupational Therapists		Volunteers

Issues for Professionals: Medical staff, allied providers, and patient services staff are faced with the daily challenge of working with a population that is experiencing a deteriorous disease progression. Maintaining professional boundaries, self-care, and stress management become crucial skills. Several sessions will address the challenges faced by care providers and provide insights and tips for maintaining personal health and perspective in the midst of a demanding practice arena.

Blurting, Blunders and Boundaries		Stress and the Multidisciplinary Clinic
Ethical Dilemma		Communication

The 2008 Annual Conference

Will Be Held at the

Marriott Newport Beach Hotel

January 24 – 26, 2008

Marriott Newport Beach Hotel

Location: 900 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Phone: 1-949-640-4000

Fax: 1-949-640-5055

For more information about this hotel, click here.

Directions from Airports to Hotel

Directions from Orange County/John Wayne Airport

· Turn right on MacArthur Blvd.

· Turn right on Jamboree Rd.

· Turn left on Santa Barbara

The hotel will be on the right as you go up the hill.

The hotel is located 5 miles SW from the airport.

Directions from Long Beach Airport

· Take the 405 Freeway South to 73 Freeway South.

· Exit on Jamboree; turn right on Jamboree.

· Turn left on Santa Barbara

The hotel will be on the right.

The hotel is located 25 miles SW from the airport.

Directions from Los Angeles International Airport

· Take the 405 Freeway South to 73 Freeway South.

· Exit on Jamboree; turn right on Jamboree.

· Turn left on Santa Barbara.

The hotel will be on the right.

The hotel is located 45 miles SW from the airport.

General Hotel Information

This AAA Three-Diamond hotel is located one mile from Balboa Island and Newport Harbor. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are less than 20 miles from the hotel.

Information for making hotel reservations will be forthcoming.

Check-in: 4:00 p.m.

Checkout: Noon

· On-site parking $4 USD (hourly) and $16 USD (daily)*

· Valet parking fee $22 USD (daily)*

· Outdoor Pool

· Hot Tub

· Exercise Room

· Weekday Newspaper Delivery

· Complimentary In-room coffee

· Cable TV

· High-speed internet access