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ENA Care Group
Suite 2 Wentworth Lodge
Great North Road
Welwyn Garden City
Herts AL8 7SR
Suite 2 Wentworth Lodge
Great North Road
Welwyn Garden City
Herts AL8 7SR
As with all lifelong conditions, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy has huge implications for a child and their family. With a life expectancy similar to the general population in children with milder cerebral palsy, learning to live with and manage the condition is the goal most families aim for, while for those whose diagnosis is more severe, specialised professional support can be a lifeline.
At ENA Care Group, we support people of all ages with cerebral palsy to live their life to the full. With personalised care and support, we enable our clients to be as independent as possible, ensuring their symptoms are well-managed and that they can maximise their life experiences. We offer dignified and respectful support at all times and treat every person in our care like the individual they are.
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological condition that affects muscular control in different parts of the body and is diagnosed in childhood. The symptoms of cerebral palsy are mainly associated with delays in reaching developmental milestones, communication problems, uncontrolled movements, problems with balance or posture, weakness in the child’s arms or legs, muscle spasms and the child being too stiff or, conversely, too floppy. There are a range of other symptoms too, which can include digestive problems, swallowing difficulties, pain, seizures, fits, incontinence, sight and hearing problems and learning disabilities. Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, can also occur if the person finds coping with their condition very challenging.
Upon reaching adulthood, some people with cerebral palsy age prematurely, often due to the excess strain their body has undergone to complete everyday tasks, and this can also lead to further age-related health issues, such as increased pain and greater risk of a fall.
Treatments for cerebral palsy can include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech & language therapy, alongside medication for some symptoms, and – in some cases – surgical procedures (for example, orthopaedic surgery to address problems with the musculoskeletal system). There is currently no known cure.
Around 1,800 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.
There are approximately 30,000 children with cerebral palsy in the UK.
Cerebral palsy affects boys more than girls.
Premature birth (before 37 weeks) is something that just under half of children with cerebral palsy have in common.
1 in 400 babies born in the UK are thought to have cerebral palsy.
Around 1,800 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.
There are approximately 30,000 children with cerebral palsy in the UK.
Cerebral palsy affects boys more than girls.
Premature birth (before 37 weeks) is something that just under half of children with cerebral palsy have in common.
1 in 400 babies born in the UK are thought to have cerebral palsy.
Around 1,800 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.
There are approximately 30,000 children with cerebral palsy in the UK.
Cerebral palsy affects boys more than girls.
Given that cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition often diagnosed at a young age, it is important for those most closely involved in the person’s care to have time to look after themselves, or they risk becoming burnt out. Reasons to consider live-in cerebral palsy care include
We support people with all types and severities of cerebral palsy, offering well-matched, highly-skilled live-in carers who have received specialist cerebral palsy training. We offer dignified support which respects the person and is customised to their individual needs, with the aim of maximising their opportunities to exercise choice and control and ensuring they can make the very best of their life.
Our personalised care plans are made with the full involvement of the client and their family (if applicable), and incorporate all of the treatment advice the client has received. We know that good management of the symptoms is vital to the person’s comfort and quality of life, and we make sure we fully understand their medical and therapeutic advice so that we can offer the best support for that individual.
A key area of pride for us is when we can enable our users to participate in activities they find both enjoyable and challenging. One example of this can be seen in our sponsorship of the Southern All Star Boccia team Boccia, a game similar to bowls, is an all-inclusive sport that can be played by anyone, regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, and has the additional benefits of promoting independence, recreational and social wellbeing. This may explain why Boccia is loved by so many people with cerebral palsy, including some of our clients, who tell us it’s a great way to keep active, make friends and have fun.
Alongside supporting our clients, we also work with their families to ensure that, together, we are meeting all of their needs. We know that it can take time to adjust to and accept having a relative with a lifelong condition, and even once a family has done this, the emotional toll can be significant many years later. Therefore, as well as providing the practical and physical support families need, we also nurture the emotional and mental health of all our service users.
Support to be independent
Given the breadth of range with cerebral palsy, independence will mean different things to different individuals. Our live-in carers get to know what independence means for each client, and work side-by-side with them to ensure they are able to do as much as they can unaided, with appropriate intervention from their carer only when needed.
Help to maintain a treatment regime
For people with cerebral palsy, following their treatment plan — particularly recommended physical activity — can make a big difference to their quality of life and our live-in carers are adept at providing this type of support.
Support with eating and drinking
Many people with cerebral palsy experience digestive problems and, as a result, may have lost the joy of eating and enjoying mealtimes. Our live-in carers are trained to follow advice given by dieticians or other healthcare professionals and can prepare nutritious and delicious meals that not only meet the person’s needs but also offer crucial enjoyment.
Ensuring the person gets the most out of every day
For an individual living with a lifelong condition, it is common to become so immersed in those health problems that other aspects of life are neglected. Our live-in carers make sure they get to know the person, what their aims and aspirations are, and help the person to reach them – whether they be sporting-related (Boccia, for example), a wish-list of things they’d like to do, places they’d like to go, or simply a desire to carry out tasks at home as independently as possible.
The chance for family members to take a break
Most family carers supporting a relative with cerebral palsy will, at some point, need to take a break themselves if they are to continue to care for the person effectively and without adverse effects on their own health. Our respite care service provides the ideal option here, with an experienced live-in carer moving into the person’s home to enable family members to take a step back, have a break, and do things they haven’t been able to do due to their caring responsibilities.
Multiple long-term condition support
As they age, many people with cerebral palsy experience a range of other conditions which require a holistic care package. Our live-in carers can support many different conditions, including epilepsy and stroke care, as well as providing mental health support. Our care plans are constantly reviewed to ensure they include any newly-developing health problems or more severe symptoms that the person may be experiencing. We can also provide complex care if and when needed.
Support to alleviate isolation
Many individuals with cerebral palsy become quite isolated by the condition, particularly if they feel unable to socialise outside of their home, or have had bad experiences in the past. A live-in carer can be a valuable source of support in planning trips out and in helping to ensure that they run smoothly.
Companionship for a person who is now alone
If a person’s care has always been provided by family members at home, it can come as a huge upheaval to move into a care home or other type of residential service if the family carer becomes ill, is unable to manage or indeed dies. Live-in care enables the person to remain in their familiar surroundings and to carry on with their life as freely as possible.
We are always available to help you understand cerebral palsy care better, or to discuss the best home care and support options for you and your family. You can call us
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