Tenerife’s SADELA Project Enhances Care for ALS Patients
A joint initiative by the Cabildo of Tenerife and the association TeidELA is making significant strides in providing specialised home care for individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) through the SADELA project.
In 2025, 44 ALS patients received support across the island, amounting to over 6,400 hours of home care. Águeda Fumero, Tenerife’s Councillor for Social Action, and Marcelino Martín, president of TeidELA, alongside ALS patient Adrián Díaz, announced the project’s achievements on Monday.
Launched in 2023, SADELA has become a key resource for ALS care in Tenerife, offering tailored support to patients and their families. Fumero highlighted the project’s importance, labelling ALS as a “cruel disease” that profoundly impacts the lives of patients and their loved ones.
The service has significantly broadened its reach compared to previous years, incorporating new services and specialists. In total, SADELA provided 6,423 hours of specialised home care and conducted 4,181 interventions.
Martín emphasised the founding principles of TeidELA, focused on combating the invisibility of the disease and ensuring dignity for patients. He stated that SADELA not only meets medical needs but also raises awareness about the challenges of ALS.
Díaz stressed the importance of the emotional support offered by TeidELA, which goes beyond physical care and fosters a compassionate environment for patients.
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive loss of mobility, affecting fundamental functions like communication and breathing. Most care for patients occurs at home, making such services vital.
SADELA adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating social care, physiotherapy, nursing, and psychological support, tailored to individual needs. Notably, in 2025, occupational therapy was introduced as a distinct service, benefiting ten people with 112 sessions, helping maintain functional autonomy and improve life quality.
The home assistance service supported 22 ALS patients through 2,195 sessions, aiding in daily activities, while home physiotherapy reached 30 patients with 1,187 sessions aimed at preserving mobility and preventing complications.
Speech therapy assisted 17 patients through 254 sessions, focusing on communication and swallowing safety. Psychological support was provided to 12 patients and four family members, comprising 185 sessions aimed at addressing the emotional impact of the disease.
The project closely collaborates with health and social resources across the island, coordinating with the Technological and Social Innovation Unit of Sinpromi and the Psychosocial Attention Team (EAPS) from the “la Caixa” Foundation, managing 55 ALS patients last year.
User feedback indicates a high satisfaction rate for the service, with an overall rating of 91.7%, particularly praising the care provided by diverse professional profiles.
Currently, TeidELA estimates that between 65 and 70 people in Tenerife live with ALS. As SADELA continues to evolve, it offers essential, ongoing care that addresses the complex needs of ALS patients and supports their families in home care management. Future plans include expanding services and improving care quality for those affected by the disease.
