A New Approach to Healthcare for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

Children with developmental disabilities are living longer due to improved technology and healthcare delivery. In response to that, the population of adults with cerebral palsy has increased. Adults with cerebral palsy are living well into their 30s or 40s with parental caregivers. These individuals have aged out of pediatric care, yet still require specialty care to ensure continued health and wellness.

These patients frequently experience declining function at different stages of their lives. There is a potential for decreased mobility and an increased chance of deformities, osteoporosis, and pain issues. Adults with cerebral palsy are more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles due to these impairments and activity limitations; they are also at greater risk of having four to five chronic health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, asthma, emphysema, joint pain, and arthritis, compared to adults without disabilities. Appropriate interdisciplinary management, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and fitness, throughout the course of their lifetime has the potential to prevent these secondary impairments, improve their quality of life, and improve caregivers’ quality of life.

A lifespan approach to the treatment of children and adults with cerebral palsy is becoming a trend in health care. This approach allows healthcare providers to understand their unique challenges and recognize critical development periods for these problems throughout the lifespan. Current recommendations include treatment and management that is directed toward improving function, preventing the development of secondary impairments at each age level, and educating individuals and their caregivers regarding the potential complications of aging with a developmental disability so they can collaborate in maintaining optimal health and function as long as possible.

At Sheltering Arms Institute, we recognize the need for specialized treatment for this growing population of adults with cerebral palsy. A cerebral palsy program has been created to suit these patients’ unique needs with therapists who specialize in developmental disabilities. Services available include physical therapy to improve mobility, decrease pain, and manage equipment, including custom wheelchairs; occupational therapy to improve activities of daily living and job skills assessment; speech therapy for communication deficits; and a fitness center to promote improved health and wellness over the course of their lifetime.