Caregiver Services

Cerebral palsy caregivers are the link to a respectable, accessible, and supportive environment at home, school, work, and in the community. They are attentive and dedicated, providing a variety of accommodating tasks and support systems. The child’s immediate family, extended family, close friends, and neighbors spend the most time assisting the family, but other types of contracted caregivers may also lend a helping hand in times of need, including:

  • Health care providers
  • Non-certified aides
  • Private-duty hires
  • Professional caregivers
  • Respite providers

Caregiver services provide reinforcement in the following areas:

  • Activities of daily living (ADLs)
  • Ambulation and exercise
  • Companionship
  • Custodial care
  • Errands
  • Food preparation
  • Home care
  • Home health care
  • Household tasks
  • Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
  • Mealtime assistance
  • Medical assistance
  • Mobility
  • Non-medical assistance
  • Personal assistance services
  • Personal care assistance
  • Respite services
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Social services
  • Supervision
  • Telemedicine consultations
  • Therapy aid

Daycare

Daycare is supervised care, usually outside the home, provided so children and adults with cerebral palsy can receive the specialized assistance they require while primary caregivers are otherwise occupied. A high-quality daycare environment is crucial to health, safety, and productive educational experiences. Many individuals find daycare and childcare to be a welcome resource that allows parents to maintain employment, attend to personal responsibilities and enjoy moments of relaxation and leisure.

Inclusive daycare is specialized to meet the requirements of those with special needs, including cerebral palsy. While in daycare, children with cerebral palsy socialize and play with their peers, while targeting and strengthening skills in areas where they need individualized support.

A high-quality, inclusive daycare environment may provide the following supports:

  • Accommodations and modifications
  • Barrier-free environments
  • Certified and trained staff
  • Effective communication opportunities
  • Fair treatment
  • High standards of care
  • Inclusive learning environment
  • Individualized attention and planning process
  • Intervention strategies
  • Mutual respect
  • Small teacher-child ratio
  • Social integration

Respite Services

Parents require the opportunity to take a break from day-to-day activities, and enjoy some alone-time to unwind, reflect and relax. Often parents who care for a child with special needs don’t take the time or aren’t afforded the respite.

Respite care is temporary care provided in the home of an infant, child, or adult with cerebral palsy, or at an out-of-home location. Community respite programs vary in locations and availability, provider types, amount of care time provided, and funding sources.

In-home respite care allows the child to stay at home with the comforts of a familiar environment. Needed items, such as adaptive equipment and medical supplies, are readily available and transportation is not required.

An out-of-home program, on the other hand, provides opportunities for the children to also break from the home environment and interact with peers and others. Although though they are not in their own home, individuals with cerebral palsy may receive respite care from the “host family” at a provider’s licensed home. Group homes and other residential facilities may also offer short-term respite care for those with special needs. Other respite care locations may include day care centers, short-term nursing homes, hospitals, and camps. Respite care can take place for several hours or several months, depending on a family’s needs.

Whether in-home, or out-of-home, respite services should be provided by a person fully able to handle the child’s unique health conditions. Special effort should be made to obtain the credentials and confidence of those who care for a child with special needs.

RESOURCES Childcare, Daycare and Respite

Government agencies and industry organizations that assist with information on childcare, daycare and respite include:

RESOURCES How MyChild™ Can Help

Knowing about resources and opportunities can make a difference, but knowing how to find and qualify for those resources is key.

MyChild™ recognizes that families touched by cerebral palsy are busy. Raising a child with mobility impairment requires doctor visits, treatments, therapies, and a host of responsibilities within the home, school, and community. MyChild™ hopes to help. Your time is precious.

Over the years, MyChild™ has expanded our database of contacts, information, and resources, which may be of assistance. We share general information online, but also offer a wealth of state and local information that may be more appropriate to particular circumstances and an individual child’s needs through our call center.

MyChild™ operates a call center to efficiently assist parents and others with questions and concerns. Call 1-800-MyChild (1-800-692-4453) for resources within your community, based on your family’s particular circumstances.