As with any other normal individual, function of Cerebral Palsy affected individual also declines significantly as result of aging but proportion of problems can be more. Shorter life span in these group of population not because of cerebral palsy but commonly due to existing co-morbidities so it is better to understand their co-morbidity and try to resolve them .

1. Aging in children with
cerebral palsy
DR JITENDRA KUMAR JAIN
Consultant Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Secretary, Samvedna Trust
President Trishla Foundation
Allahabad
www.samvednatrust.com
www.trishlaortho.com
Fb:samvednatrust.cerebralpalsy
Youtube:jjain999
Email- jjain999@gmail.com

2. Introduction
They grow up, they grow old;
They continue to have cerebral palsy & face
its changing challenges every day of their
lives.
Many of them are going to have problem
Some of them live long with quality of life
It is you & me who can give good quality of
life
How ?

3. Cont.
• Adults with CP may have a shorter lifespan due
to existing co-morbidities not because of cerebral
palsy.
• Recent statistics show that nearly 50 percent of
people aged 65 or older have some type of
physical, psychiatric, or cognitive disability.
• For adults with cerebral palsy, as for the rest of
the "normal" aging public, it's only
going to get worse

4. Problem faced by adult & older
population with CP
• Musculoskeletal
• Cardiovascular
• Gastrointestinal
• Reproductive health
• Psychological Status
• Social issues

5. Effect on Musculoskeletal system
• Increase in muscular spasticity.
• Decrease in flexibility, limited muscle
strength, endurance & restricted movement
• 3-5 time more Energy expenditure
• Difficult to perform tasks & take longer time
• Frequent fatigue
• Muscle Sore

6. Cont.
• Anti epileptic drugs, sun exposure, poor intake
lead to Vit D deficiency (osteomalacia)
• Less Wt. bearing & poor muscle lead to
osteoporosis
• Abnormal muscle tone lead to deformity &
torsion of bone & dislocation of joint, Increase
chances of spondylosis.
• Early degenerative arthritis
• Overuse syndromes (repetitive motion injuries)

7. End result
• Loss of stamina, loss of physical functioning
• Obesity
• More need of support during standing &
walking
• Fracture with trivial trauma
• Nerve entrapments.
• Myelopathy

8. Management
• Continuation of therapy programme in
adulthood
• Yoga & swimming
• Standing and walking with any support is
much better than wheal chair
• More use of assistive devices
• Sufficient intake of Vit D and calcium
• Treatment of osteoporosis
• Medical treatment for pain & Spasticity
• Barrier free environment at home and
public places

9. Effect on general health
• Diabetes
• Obesity or malnutrition
• Hypertension & coronary artery disease
• Problem in bladder control like Urinary
retention, incontinence.
• Recurrent chest infection & restrictive
lung disease
• Pressure sores

10. Cont.
• Due to extra strain & stresses
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary system have to work hard
& they age prematurely around 40 year of age.
• Prevention is better than cure
• Regular screening of cardiovascular problem
• Early intervention in any cardiovascular &
pulmonary problem
• Good nursing care in severely disable patient

11. Effect on GI system
• Earlier onset of disturbance in
gastrointestinal functions
• Combination of mouth breathing, poor
hygiene, tooth grinding, mal-occlusion &
abnormalities in tooth enamel & peridontal
diseases
• Problem in chewing, swallowing

12. Cont.
• Gastro-esophageal reflux
• Frequent vomiting & aspiration
• Constipation
• hemorrhoids
• Feeding & nutritional issues
• Poor general nutrition, retarded physical
growth .

13. Effect on psychological state
• The rate of depression is three to four
times higher
• Early memory loss
• Sleep deprivation
• Fluctuating emotional status
• Loss of self-esteem
• Self neglect
• They need social support system

14. Reproductive health
• Body image
• Problem in menstrual cycle,
• Menopausal symptom
• STD, birth control
• Pregnancy
• Proper counseling & direct care of
guardian

15. Social issues
• Lower level of education
• Higher level of poverty
• Higher level of unemployment
• Less disposable income
• Self care
• Lesser social activities and communication
problem due to ambulatory & speech problem
• Social abuse, drug & alcohal abuse

16. Cont.
• Education for all
• Job
• Social and independence skills
• Social support
• Implementation of life planning
• Group discussion

17. Group discussion
Detail counseling & meeting
with other cerebral palsy
affected adults who has more
confidence & balanced mind

18. Academic, extracurricular & sport
activity
•Extracurricular activity
like sport, drawing,
music and literary work
to maintain stamina &
moral

19. Message
• It is not only important to live long but it is
the quality of life which matters.
• So by good knowledge and well planned
strategy we can prevent impending
problems and miseries of life.
• It is the parents / guardian /affected person
himself who can change the whole life and
can make their life beautiful .

20. Thanks for kind
attention