Ambulatory
Wheel Chair / walker / motorized scooter evaluation and recommendation is available when medically prescribed by your doctor. The necessary documentation will be provided to your insurance company to insure coverage.
Home Health Care
Ataxia may progress to the point at which a patient can no longer be independent in the activities of daily living (ADL’s),and the family may no longer be able to provide the needed care. A patient can receive services in the home from various health care professionals from a home health organization. A doctor’s order is necessary to initiate the process of identifying a need for the health care professionals and to bill the services to the health care insurance company or Medicare. An initial evaluation of the following ADL’s is required to measure a need for Home Health Care: dressing, bathing, feeding, toileting and transferring. Typically the need for assistance with three of the five activities will satisfy the requirements for benefits. However, these services are can only be provided for a limited time.
Hospice and Palliative Care
The World Health Evaluation (WHO) defines palliative care as the active total care of patients whose disease does not respond to curative treatment. Its goal is to achieve the best possible quality of life for the patients and their families. It addresses the control of pain and other symptoms in addition to any psychological, social and spiritual issues. For patients with advanced stages of the life-threatening forms of Ataxia, palliative care in the home or in a nursing home can be provided by a hospice program. In order to obtain care from a hospice, a patient must have a doctor’s referral indicating that the life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its “normal” course. The hospice may also require a signed statement from the patient and doctor which includes a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. Hospice is covered by most private medical insurance policies and is part of the Medicare part A and Medicaid plans. Referrals and resources are available upon request.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy evaluation is available as needed: the objective is to assess the motor status, presence and level of pain, present functional abilities and difficulties, and occupational performances. This is best achieved by interviewing the patient, family members, and caregiver, information about home, bathroom layout.
Orthotics
Providing devices that are applied to a part of the body to correct deformity, improve function, or relieve symptoms of the disease. An orthosis is an externally applied device which supports or assists the musculo-neuro-skeletal system. Gait evaluation, treatment recommendation and device fitting can be arranged in clinic at the time of your visit.
Physical Therapy
As movement specialists, the objective in PT is to identify and maximize movement potential, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. It involves the interaction between physical clients, families and care givers, in a process of assessing movement potential and in establishing agreed upon goals and objectives using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders and disorders of breathing in sleep of many types occur together with or as a result of many forms of Ataxia. We work closely with the Neurologists in the Sleep Clinic and the University of Chicago Sleep Center to obtain proper diagnosis and management.
Social Services
Social services are a vital aspect of the Ataxia Center, a resource for families seeking direction identifying alternative sources of payment for medical services and other financial needs. A referral is available upon request.
Speech Therapy
Speech evaluation for intelligibility and speaking rate has traditionally been measure of presence/severity of dysarthia. Interventions at detectable speech changes are available through speech therapy, available at the Medical Center. A referral to an outside facility such as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago can also be made.