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

Occupational Therapy Interventions for Spinal Cord Injury: Innovative Upper Extremity Weight-Bearing Recovery

When you think of body weight support systems in physical rehab, walking probably comes to mind first. But did you know this technology can also transform arm, shoulder, and core recovery after a spinal cord injury? This high-intensity training helps build upper body strength, manage spasticity, improve posture, and boost overall endurance! Learn how we use advanced body weight support technology at Sheltering Arms Institute to help patients safely practice arm weight-bearing and how innovative technology is changing SCI therapy.

How Speech Therapy Can Help Your Cognition

After a stroke or brain injury, everyday thinking skills like memory, attention, and planning can feel overwhelming. Because these skills directly support how we communicate, SLPs use targeted strategies to help patients regain confidence and daily independence. Learn how cognitive-communication therapy can help.

5 Types of Adaptive Equipment for Individuals with Limb Loss

Navigating your home environment and daily life following limb loss can feel challenging at first. Fortunately, there is a robust market of adaptive equipment and assistive technology designed to make life safer, more accessible, and more efficient. Here are five key categories of adaptive equipment that can be highly beneficial following an amputation.

How to Prepare for Knee Replacement Surgery: 5 Ways to Support a Smoother Recovery

Preparing for a knee replacement involves more than scheduling surgery. The steps you take beforehand can make a real difference in how you move, feel, and recover afterward. Building strength, improving mobility, and knowing what to expect can help you go into surgery feeling more confident and better prepared. This approach is called prehabilitation, or prehab. Here are five ways to set yourself up for a smoother recovery after knee replacement.

How to Safely Exercise in the Summer Heat: 4 Essential Tips

Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but during hot summers it can pose a health risk. If you are someone who prefers to exercise outdoors, it is important to follow precautions and know your risk. As we exercise, our muscles work and our core body temperature rises. Our circulatory system is responsible for transporting heat to the skin surface, which causes us to sweat. When it is hot and humid outside, our bodies cannot evaporate sweat as easily, trapping more heat in the body.

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.