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. 

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

The Interdisciplinary Approach in Rehabilitation to Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million people in the United States alone. MS is an immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin insulation that surrounds the nerves in the central nervous system. This damage causes widespread symptoms varying in severity, including fatigue, weakness, sensation loss, visual impairments, and walking and balance impairments. These symptoms of MS can impact someone’s mobility, quality of life, ability to work and provide for their family, relationships, and community participation. Because these symptoms can impact so many aspects of a person’s life, a rehabilitative care team should consist of multiple disciplines that work together to provide a collaborative, all-encompassing care plan, called interdisciplinary care.

9 Ways to Improve Sleep After a Concussion

After a concussion, there are a lot of common misconceptions about sleep. Mainly, is it safe to sleep following this mild traumatic brain injury? The answer is yes – it is okay to sleep after a concussion! This misconception stems from an out-of-date recommendation to wake the person up every hour to check on them. However, that is only if there is concern about the risk for a brain hemorrhage or bleed that wasn’t immediately apparent.

Clinical research scientist

Five Reasons to Participate in Research

During my participation in a clinical trial, I was able to learn first-hand about the process surrounding medical discoveries. I also gained an understanding of how to advocate for my health and learned to ask more questions about the risks involved in different medical treatments. Participation in research was incredibly beneficial to me personally. To help you learn more about research participation, we’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons to participate in research.

How to Measure Exercise Intensity

Target heart rate (HR) is a great way to measure exercise intensity to get the most out of your workout. For most people, it provides an accurate way to measure the safety of an activity in relation to the percentage of your maximum heart rate. However, for some people, because of several medications that regulate HR (such beta blockers) or the availability to acquire a device that monitors HR, using HR alone to measure exercise intensity can be challenging.

How to Maximize Physical Therapy Visits from Insurance

As a new year begins, so do new health insurance deductibles and benefits. It’s important to be aware of your healthcare expenses to plan for the year ahead. For those seeking physical rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, it’s important to remember that health insurance may not cover unlimited sessions. Understanding how to make the most of your visits covered by insurance is key to maximizing your benefits. Read on to learn how you can get the most out of your therapy visits while extending the time spent on your recovery to achieve your goals.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.