Cerebral Palsy Essay Discussion Paper
Question
Levi’s personal profile: Levi is a young man who is 22 years old. He lives in a group support home. He has cerebral palsy which was diagnosed when he was only a small child. His parents were his primary careers the age of 20 when he requested to live a more independent life. Levi lives with three other house mates who are also receive various support services. He has become very happy with his living arrangements and gets on well with the support workers who visit him. About Levi: Cerebral palsy causes Levi to have an unsteady gait, and at times experiences jerky and uncontrolled movement of his hands and body. He requires some assistance with aspects of his personal hygiene, dressing and grooming. Using his personal care aids such as: an electric shaver, a pre-set temperature tap in his shower, a long handled shower sponge, shower mitt, and shower bench he is able to set up and wash all of his body including his legs and feet without assistance. He does require assistance with drying between his toes and loading toothpaste on to his electric toothbrush. In cooler weather Levi experiences dry skin and therefore requires assistance with applying moisturizing cream to his back, lower legs and arms. Cerebral Palsy Essay Discussion Paper
Levi can shower and towel dry himself using the bathroom support aids; he is able to dress and groom himself although some fine motor tasks such as buttons and zips prove to be more difficult for him to manipulate. He requires assistance with completing his laundry and cleaning of his room. He uses two walking sticks to mobilize both inside his home and outside of his home. His mobility is slow and often he experiences situations where other people will not allow him time and space to mobilize safely. Levi enjoys participating in preparing his meals. At mealtimes, support staff provide physical support to assist Levi to navigate his kitchen and dining area as he is unsteady near appliances and is at risk near hot surfaces. Levi was assessed by the occupational therapist as having safer mobility if he were to use a wheeled rollator in these confined spaces. He has refused to use the rollator because he feels this would be embarrassing in front of his house mates. Levi’s parents respect their son’s decision and have chosen to allow Levi the dignity to take a risk in this situation. Open this case study in a second window so that you can return to it easily. Read the case study carefully in order to understand Levi’s condition and needs. t is a good idea to do some reading about the condition of cerebral palsy. Using the information in the case study complete the following questions: (a) Identify two (2) people other than Levis’ parents, who should be involved in providing information about Levi’s abilities and level of support needs? (b) Identify two (2) ways in which this information could be obtained? Take a look at this link Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research https://cerebralpalsy.org.au/our-research/about-cerebralpalsy/what-is-cerebral-palsy/how-cerebral-palsy-affects-people/ Specifically look at the topic on ‘behavior and wellbeing’. Levi is a young adolescent man living in a group home – explain the cultural impact that receiving personal care support may have on Levi. Note: Culture is not necessarily about ethnicity or country of origin. You may like to review the definition of culture: (a) Identify three (3) risks that the support workers would need to be aware of when providing care for Levi. (b) The support worker has a duty of care to keep Levi safe. Who could they report these identified risks to?
Step 1/4
(a) Explain the potential benefits of involving Levi in the selection and training of his support workers. Involving Levi in the selection and training of his support workers can have several benefits.
Explanation:
Firstly, it can help to ensure that he is comfortable with the support workers who are assisting him and that they are a good match in terms of personality, communication style, and cultural background. This can help to build trust and rapport between Levi and his support workers, which is important for effective care delivery.
Secondly, involving Levi in the training process can help him to understand the role of support workers, their responsibilities, and the expectations of the care relationship.
This can promote a more collaborative and respectful care partnership, where Levi is an active participant in his own care. Thirdly, involving Levi in the selection and training process can help to empower him and promote his sense of autonomy and control over his own life.
Step 2/4
(b) Identify two (2) strategies that the support workers could use to support Levi’s independence and participation in daily activities.
Explanation:
Strategy 1:
Assistive technology – The support workers could explore the use of assistive technology to support Levi’s independence in daily activities.
For example, they could provide him with a button hook or zipper pull to help with dressing, or a built-up handle on his toothbrush to make it easier to hold. They could also provide him with a speech-to-text program to assist with written communication.
Strategy 2:
Task modification – The support workers could modify tasks to make them more accessible and manageable for Levi.
For example, they could break down a complex task into smaller steps, or provide visual cues to help with navigation around the house. They could also encourage Levi to participate in tasks that he enjoys and feels confident in, such as meal preparation, while providing support in areas where he may need more assistance, such as using kitchen appliances safely. By using these strategies, the support workers can help Levi maintain his independence and participation in daily activities.
Step 3/4
(a) Identify three (3) risks that the support workers would need to be aware of when providing care for Levi.
Explanation:
Risk 1:
Falls and mobility issues – Due to Levi’s cerebral palsy, he requires the use of walking sticks and has an unsteady gait, which increases his risk of falls. Support workers need to be aware of this risk and take steps to prevent falls, such as clearing trip hazards and providing assistance when needed. Risk 2:
Skin irritation and pressure sores – Levi may be at risk of skin irritation and pressure sores due to his limited mobility and difficulty repositioning himself. Support workers should be aware of this risk and ensure that Levi is repositioned regularly and provided with appropriate skin care. Risk 3: Communication barriers – Levi may have difficulty communicating his needs or preferences due to his cerebral palsy. Support workers should be aware of this risk and take steps to ensure that Levi is able to communicate effectively, such as using clear language and providing alternative communication methods if necessary.
Step 4/4
(b) The support worker has a duty of care to keep Levi safe. Who could they report these identified risks to?
Explanation:
The support worker could report the identified risks to: • Levi’s primary healthcare provider, such as his doctor or nurse practitioner • The group home manager or supervisor • Levi’s case manager or social worker
Final answer
Based on the information provided, the final conclusion is that Levi is a young man with cerebral palsy who lives in a group support home with three other housemates. He requires some assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, grooming, and fine motor tasks. He uses two walking sticks to mobilize and requires physical support to navigate the kitchen and dining area during mealtimes.
The support workers need to be aware of potential risks associated with Levi’s condition and report them to the appropriate authorities. It is important to respect Levi’s decisions and allow him to maintain his dignity while taking risks. Cerebral Palsy Essay Discussion Paper