[Problems of ALS patients in home health care]

We cared for nine amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients at home during the period from April 1995 to May 2000. Three patients died without mechanical ventilation. Four patients were supported by home mechanical ventilation but two others refused or could not clearly express their desire. It is important that ALS patients should received accurate knowledge of this disease from doctors, who should ask them repeatedly whether they want mechanical ventilation or not.