Cerebral palsy is a developmental disability that affects muscle coordination. While the spectrum of cerebral palsy varies from person to person, many with this condition are unable to control body movements and have problems with balance and seizures, and they may be intellectually impaired. Caregivers of those patients with mild cerebral palsy may find that little supervision is required, while those taking care of patients with more severe forms of the disease may need to learn to meet the needs of someone likely seriously impaired for life.
Step 1
Learn to understand the patient's communication style. While some with cerebral palsy are quite verbal, others may have to rely on nonverbal communications like eye contact, facial expressions or even signing. As a first-time caregiver it is important to help develop a communication style or come up to speed quickly on the one that is already in place.
Step 2
Prepare feeding plans that take the person's physical abilities and limitations into consideration. If the person with cerebral palsy has difficulty swallowing, for instance, then food preparation must include cutting the food into small bites or liquifying it. Some are unable to self-feed, which means that any plan must allow for adequate meal time.
Step 3
Consider what bath equipment will accomplish safe and effective bathing. Many caregivers consult an occupational therapist to determine the best method for bathing the person given his specific limitations. Thought will have to be given as to how best to maneuver things so as not to harm the bather. Many purchase a bath seat or swimming tube to help keep the person secure and relaxed while bathing. For larger people, some caretakers rent or purchase a hydraulic lift to make it easier to get the person in and out of the tub. Grab bars on the walls and
non-skid strips on the floor will go a long way to ensure safety and a sense of security.
Step 4
Inquire about individualized tips for dressing to best assist the patient with this daily task. Observe which side if any is the patient's strongest, which will help the caretaker determine which arm or leg to begin with. Many caretakers find that when it comes to placing leg orthotics, it works well to bend the knee first, which causes the ankle to bend. This simple tip makes it much easier to place the orthotics.
Step 5
Adapt discipline strategies to the person's individual situation. For the patient who is nonverbal, frustration levels can run high and lead to emotional outbursts. If someone is being hired to serve as a caretaker, discuss with the family members what strategies have worked in the past. If you are starting from scratch, it is wise to plan in advance tactics for reacting to a tantrum.
Tips and Warnings
- When hiring someone or training them to assist a primary caretaker, it is important to back up discussions with action and chances for observations. This can be accomplished by having the prospective caretaker spend time with you and the cerebral palsy patient, in order to learn firsthand what that person's individual needs are. By gradually increasing the responsibilities, when both sides feel ready there will be a second person who will be able to fully provide quality care.
- Whether providing the caretaking yourself or teaching someone else to do it, it is important for the caregiver to be CPR-certified in case of emergency. In addition, a caretaker will need to remain calm to handle some of the more frightening aspects of cerebral palsy such as seizures. The caretaker must be able to recognize the symptoms of a seizure and know how to handle them.
