A Guide for Cerebral Palsy Caregiving

In caring for someone with cerebral palsy, it is important for family, doctors and specialists to work together to create a plan that is specifically tailored for the patient. Everyone has different needs in terms of level of care, independence and other factors, and it is crucial for caregivers to keep this individuality in mind. The following are general guidelines that caregivers should follow to form the basis of a care plan.

Bathing and Hygiene

• It is important to help patients learn proper bathing and hygiene practices from a young age. With practice, they will feel capable of taking on some of these responsibilities themselves, which will lead to greater feelings of independence. Caregivers should try to encourage their patients to get into the tub in a standing position from a young age, as this method will help the caregiver to safely move the patient in and out of the tub as she gets older and heavier. Caregivers should encourage patients to actively participate in washing themselves and to be unafraid of the sensation of water and warmth--sensations are sometimes felt much more intensely by people with cerebral palsy. To help a patient play a more active role in her bathing, it may be helpful to have a supportive seat installed in the tub or rails installed in the shower if the patient can safely stand.

  Dental hygiene is also important to emphasize for patients with cerebral palsy. A caregiver should try to help her patient adjust to brushing his teeth with a regular toothbrush, though this may be rather uncomfortable for some. If a patient reacts strongly to toothbrushes, a wet cloth with strong toothpaste or an antiseptic may be used. Patients should be seated and steadied for toothbrushing.

Dressing and Personal Care

• Dressing oneself is often a great way to for patients with cerebral palsy to feel some sense of independence and accomplishment in their day-to-day routine. Caregivers should help patients toward this end by first helping them to learn the process of undressing, which is usually easier than dressing. Patients can be safely steadied during dressing and undressing by accomplishing these tasks from a seated position or while holding onto furniture. It is more encouraging for patients to wear clothing that is easily pulled off or on, with big buttons, ties or Velcro, and that is made of soft fabrics.

  Caregivers can also help a patient to brush his hair and put on his own shoes. These practices can all be achieved through steady and safe positioning and encouragement on the part of the caregiver.

Eating and Drinking

• Specialists can help patients focus on mouth control and chewing, which are important for them to be able to eat their meals with greater independence. Getting proper nutrition throughout the day can sometimes prove difficult for people with cerebral palsy, so it is crucial that caregivers monitor eating closely and make sure that their patients are properly ingesting enough calories in a day.

  Caregivers should also make sure that patients can see the food in front of them as well as the utensils being used to feed them. With this awareness, they may better understand the spatial relationships between them, their utensils and their food and take more initiative in feeding themselves.

Social Interaction

• For anyone with cerebral palsy, opportunities for healthy social interaction is a key component to any day. Caregivers should encourage their patients to interact with others, engage in social activities and pursue goals and dreams, whether in academia, athletics, the arts or any other field. Many people with cerebral palsy are able to enjoy busy, full and accomplished lives, and caregivers should support this in any way they can.

  Helping patients to achieve greater independence and adjustment to sensations of touch and controlled movement will aid them in a wider variety of social interactions.