Frozen shoulder is a fairly common and very painful complaint of people who has lost most of their mobility. As the muscle wastes a very heavy arm is left hanging from the shoulder and it wears and tears on the shoulder. Range of motion exercises are very important. Cortisone shots help as well. Also, when lifting... if you can, try wrapping both arms around torso (like a hug)... means the lifter must squat... PALS head is turned to the side, so as not to catch on top of lifters shoulder as you both stand up. Lifters legs are on either side of PALS legs. Once the technique is mastered, it is a much safer and less painful way to lift and transfer as the shoulders are not touched or moved. Ask the occupational therapist at the ALS clinic to show you how to do this. If there is a large padded blanket or pad under the person... two people can lift the blanket and reposition a sitting person without touching the body at all... except for supporting the neck. ALS caregiving is such a trial and error thing... what works for one person... might not work for another... but, we tried just about every thing to find a way to work for us.
