Home Care Services for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy refers to a number of neurological conditions that are caused by brain damage during pregnancy or in the early years of life. There are several known causes of cerebral palsy, including brain bleeds and traumatic childhood injuries; however, many reasons are still unknown. 

Currently, there is no cure for cerebral palsy but many advances have been made in the treatment of children and adults living with cerebral palsy. Home care and supportive services augment these treatments by promoting the proper development of children growing up with cerebral palsy.

How Can Home Care Services Help People With Cerebral Palsy?

The main goal for most people in life is to be happy, healthy, and independent. While cerebral palsy is not curable, home care coupled with doctor and specialist treatments can help achieve the independent lifestyle that you desire while attending to the recipient’s health and safety needs.

In most cases, the best caregiving services for cerebral palsy involves setting daily goals that encourage people to live more independently and socially. It’s especially important that children affected by cerebral palsy start to develop these traits early on in life - and home care services can have a huge impact on this.

Here are some ways personal care assistants and parents or guardians caring for a child with cerebral palsy can set daily goals for their home care:

• Practice activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing. An example of a small goal might be learning to put on socks by the end of the month.
• Encourage social interaction whenever possible. An example of this is saying “please” and “thank you” when out to eat or in other public situations.
• Promote the self-independence of the child at every opportunity. For example, instead of bringing them a toy, encourage them to get the toy for themselves.
• Home caregiving goals will (and should) shift depending on the child’s age and specific abilities. The purpose is to challenge children to become more independent and social on whatever level is appropriate.

Not only do home care services support the individual with the condition, but it can also change the lives of the entire family. Respite care can offer parents and guardians time to rest and take care of other responsibilities, or allow other family members to spend time with one another in ways they otherwise cannot.

How to Find Cerebral Palsy Resources Near Me

As a leading Minnesota home care agency, Best Care serves family members and home caregivers caring for people living with a number of conditions, including those living with cerebral palsy in the Twin Cities and around the state. If you’re looking for extra support and resources for cerebral palsy or caregiving in general, we are here to help.

For example, there are plenty of cerebral palsy support groups for parents, children, and adults that can provide a valuable sense of community and unity to anyone who might be struggling. A number of these cerebral palsy support groups are listed on My Cerebral Palsy Child, designed to offer unique cerebral palsy help for parents.

When it comes to more general questions about the condition or home caregiving, don’t hesitate to reach out Best Care directly.