ALS bracelet

ALS bracelet can help share essential information quickly if speech, swallowing, or movement changes make it hard to communicate in an unexpected situation.

It gives helpers and clinicians fast context such as how you communicate, any breathing support you use, and who to contact, so the next steps are clearer and less stressful.
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• Flags ALS (a type of motor neurone disease) at a glance
• Useful if communication or swallowing becomes difficult
• Can store breathing support details (for example NIV) and key contacts
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An als bracelet is a wearable way to point to a short, emergency-focused profile about you. In the UK, ALS is the most common type of motor neurone disease (MND), which affects the nerves that control muscle movement and can impact speech, swallowing, and breathing over time.

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Who it’s for

• Anyone diagnosed with ALS (motor neurone disease)
• People whose speech is unclear, tiring, or who use alternative communication
• People with swallowing changes, choking risk notes, or saliva management needs
• Anyone using breathing support such as non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
• People who use mobility aids or need specific handling support (transfers, positioning)
• Anyone supported by carers or family who need to be contacted quickly
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When it’s most useful

• If you are in public and speech is difficult or you are non-verbal
• During an ambulance callout or A&E visit where a quick summary saves time
• If breathing becomes difficult and staff need to know about NIV or respiratory monitoring
• If swallowing issues are relevant and you want that clearly flagged
• When travelling or staying somewhere new and you want key contacts and needs easy to access
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What to put on it

• ALS (diagnosis)
• Preferred communication method (speech, text, device, AAC)
• Key communication notes (for example “needs extra time to respond”)
• Breathing support details if used (for example NIV)
• Swallowing notes if relevant (short, practical wording)
• Feeding tube details if applicable (type and basic handling notes)
• Mobility aids / transfer notes (wheelchair user, hoist)
• Current key medicines (brief list)
• Medication allergies / serious reactions
• Main clinic or specialist team contact (if you have it)
• Emergency contact 1 (name + number)
• Emergency contact 2 (name + number)

Keep it short and readable.
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Key benefits

• Faster recognition of ALS in urgent situations
• Clearer communication support notes when speech is affected
• Quicker access to breathing support details such as NIV
• Less repetition during handovers between services
• Better accuracy around medicines and allergies in a stressful moment
• Reassurance for carers and family that key details are easy to find
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FAQs

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Is ALS the same as motor neurone disease in the UK?

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ALS is the most common type of motor neurone disease (MND). In the UK, “MND” is often used as the umbrella term, while ALS is used more commonly as the umbrella term in some other countries.

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What information is most useful on an ALS bracelet?

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Many people prioritise items that change how others can help quickly: diagnosis, how you communicate, any breathing support used, key swallowing notes (if relevant), medicines, allergies, and emergency contacts.

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Can an ALS bracelet include communication and breathing details?

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Yes. ALS can involve changes in communication and breathing, and some people choose to include those details so the right support and contacts are clear in a crisis.

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