Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

The 44th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

Symposium 1-3: Intractable neurological diseases and neurology

Hidetoshi Fukunaga, M.D.

Department of Neurology, National Minamikyusyu Hospital

In intractable neurological diseases, there are often no appropriate treatment methods even after admission and the course is frequently chronic. Therefore treatment at home is a major choice. In particular, in Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, care at home while symptoms are stable is appropriate in terms of extension of ADL and the QOL of the patient and family. We have performed continuous treatment at home according to our plan for the previous 9 years. This treatment was favorably accepted by the patient and family without major problems.
It is important to organize network to support patient with intractable neurological diseases.
By virture of the care insurance system established in 2000, services of medhical care, health and welfare are being collectively provided at present. But, there still remain many issues awaiting solution on the support to adovanced intractable neurological diseases.
A pending problem about suction of sputa for the ALS patients serving at home are being allowed to non-medical profession like home helper.

(CLINICA NEUROL, 43: 785|787, 2003)
key words: intractable neurological diseases, care insurance, home care, suction

(Received: 16-May-03)