Conversations in Caregiving
Navigating the ALS Journey
Watch this recorded conversation with four I AM ALS volunteers as they share lived experience caring for a spouse, child, or friend living with ALS. The discussion covers changing care needs, personal choice, assistive technology, caregiver mental health, connection, and support.
Watch the WebinarA Conversation About Caregiving and ALS
Caring for someone living with ALS can bring changing responsibilities, difficult decisions, and an ongoing need for information and support. In this recorded webinar, caregivers speak candidly about preserving independence, coordinating care, responding to new challenges, and caring for their own mental health.
Who Should Watch?
This recording is designed for family caregivers, professional caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, and anyone supporting a person living with ALS. Viewers do not need to have a direct connection to ALS to benefit from the conversation.
Understanding ALS
Learn about ALS onset, diagnosis, progression, treatment limitations, and why each person's experience with the disease can look different.
Choice and Independence
Hear how caregivers approach changing abilities, future care decisions, and the importance of keeping the person living with ALS involved in conversations about their life and care.
Coordinating Care
Explore practical perspectives on multidisciplinary clinics, medical appointments, home care, respite, outside caregivers, and managing a growing care team.
Assistive Technology
See how smart-home tools, eye-gaze technology, communication devices, and accessible equipment can support independence and participation.
Caregiver Mental Health
Recognize experiences associated with burnout, anxiety, hypervigilance, anticipatory grief, and the need for boundaries, counseling, medical support, and respite.
Connection and Community
Hear honest reflections on changing relationships, maintaining connection, building a support network, and finding people who understand ALS caregiving.
Meet the Panelists
Four I AM ALS volunteers share perspectives shaped by caring for a spouse, daughter, or close friend living with ALS.
Meg Reyes
I AM ALS Volunteer
Lou Morentin
I AM ALS Volunteer
Emily Lowrey
I AM ALS Volunteer
Christy Hardin
I AM ALS Volunteer
Part of the Conversations in Caregiving Series
Navigating the ALS Journey was the first webinar in Family Resource Network's Conversations in Caregiving series leading up to the National Caregivers Conference. The series explores caregiving across diagnoses and topics including caregiver wellbeing, financial literacy, new tools and innovations, brain health, and more.
The National Caregivers Conference takes place November 1–2, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton. This year's theme is Connected in Caregiving, bringing family caregivers, professionals, advocates, and healthcare experts together around practical tools, resources, and shared learning.
I AM ALS Caregiver Resources
I AM ALS offers caregiver information, support groups, and resources for people living with ALS and their families.
Family Resource Network Webinars
Family Resource Network hosts free live and recorded webinars for individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I learn from this recorded webinar?
The conversation covers ALS diagnosis and progression, changing care needs, personal choice, care coordination, assistive technology, caregiver burnout, mental health, anticipatory grief, relationships, and caregiver support resources.
Who should watch this webinar?
The recording is intended for family caregivers, professional caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, and anyone interested in understanding the ALS caregiving journey. You are welcome to watch even if you do not currently support someone living with ALS.
Is the recorded webinar free?
Yes. Navigating the ALS Journey is available to watch on demand at no cost.
How long is the recording?
The complete recording is approximately 86 minutes and includes the panel conversation and audience questions.
Who are the featured panelists?
The panel features I AM ALS volunteers Meg Reyes, Lou Morentin, Emily Lowrey, and Christy Hardin. Their experiences include caring for a spouse, daughter, or close friend living with ALS.
What assistive technology is discussed?
The panel discusses smart lighting and home controls, eye-gaze technology, communication devices, accessible equipment, and other tools that can help a person living with ALS retain independence and remain engaged in daily life.
How does the webinar address caregiver mental health?
Panelists speak candidly about anxiety, burnout, hypervigilance, anticipatory grief, relationship changes, and the emotional effects of around-the-clock care. They also discuss boundaries, therapy, medical support, respite, peer groups, and maintaining relationships outside of caregiving.
Does this recording provide medical advice?
This webinar shares personal caregiving experiences and general educational information. Viewers should speak with qualified healthcare professionals about medical decisions, symptoms, treatment, and individual care needs.
What is the National Caregivers Conference?
The National Caregivers Conference is a biennial Family Resource Network conference for family caregivers, professionals, advocates, and healthcare leaders. The 2026 conference, themed Connected in Caregiving, will be held November 1–2 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton in Princeton, New Jersey.
Conversations in Caregiving offers a preview of some of the caregiving topics and perspectives that will continue at the conference.
Where can I find more caregiver resources?
Family Resource Network offers caregiver education, support coordination, respite and recreation programs, webinars, and the National Caregivers Conference. I AM ALS offers support groups, caregiver mentoring, peer support, educational programs, and other resources for people living with ALS and their families.
Visit Family Resource Network or explore I AM ALS caregiver resources.
Watch Navigating the ALS Journey
Hear directly from I AM ALS volunteers about caregiving, independence, mental health, relationships, resources, and community for families navigating ALS.
Watch the Recorded Webinar