The physical therapy students of Concordia University Ann Arbor became aware of a community need and stepped up to fill that need. On Saturday, March 22, 2025, the CUAA DPT students hosted their first ALS Caregiver Lab.
ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and formerly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurologic condition that causes a person to lose control of voluntary muscle movement over time. As the disease progresses, individuals lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow and breath. While there is currently no known cure, there are medical treatments now available to prolong survival, manage symptoms and reduce the rate of decline. Many types of healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, are involved in the care of individuals with ALS.
As movement specialists, physical therapists collaborate with individuals with ALS and their caregivers in a number of ways. Physical therapists provide intervention through exercise and education to assist individuals in maintaining mobility, flexibility, and function, managing pain and fatigue, and optimizing movement through the use of assistive devices. Physical therapists are also involved in helping keep caregivers healthy through education on and practice with using proper body mechanics when assisting their loved one and ensuring the caregiver also takes time to care for themselves.
The CUAA DPT students provided education to community members with ALS along with their caregivers on how to safely assist move from chairs to beds and how to employ self-care to avoid burnout among the caregivers. The event included both an informational session as well as opportunities for the community members to practice their new skills. “This event was so impactful in creating a connection between community and healthcare students while also filling a critical need for these families. The families who attended learned some new skills and the students involved became more cognizant about the impact of service among healthcare professionals” said Dr. Susie Steele, PT, PhD, DPT, PCS who assisted in facilitating the event.
To learn more about ALS, please visits the ALS of Michigan website at https://alsofmichigan.org/.
To learn more about the CUAA DPT Program, please visit https://www.cuaa.edu/academics/programs/doctor-physical-therapy/.
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CUAA will continue to offer a variety of degrees in 2025-26 and beyond. Pursue a degree in healthcare at our North Building with its newly remodeled features and state-of-the-art simulation equipment, or earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education through one of our well-established online programs. The CUAA campus continues to offer a route to a Lutheran Teacher Diploma to help equip Lutheran K-12 schools nationwide with qualified workers. In the near future, Concordia will look to reintroduce additional church work training opportunities in Ann Arbor by building a new vision and model for the undergraduate degree programs here.
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