What changes in mid-life?
A new job, new equipment, becoming a parent, a new house… there are plenty of new challenges during mid-life.
For a person with cerebral palsy, changes in mid-life can also include the challenge of having to manage pain that wasn’t there before, adapting to different personal assistants, or changing abilities, including no longer being able to do something.
It is important to know how to manage the specific ways in which CP affects a person as they get older.
Consider therapy
Few people have ready access to regular therapy in their 30s and 40s. However, therapy can help with mobility, can reduce pain and can help people find ways of doing what is important to them. Working with a therapist can provide individualised advice regarding appropriate types of exercise to maintain fitness, stamina and strength.
Manage stress
Stress can easily become a regular feature in many people’s lives. For adults with CP, stress can impact function in a number of ways. For example, increased muscle tone or stiffness may result in making it harder or more uncomfortable to move.
It is helpful to identify the sources of stress. Work stress? Stress associated with getting to work? Having a new personal assistant? Concerns regarding changes in ability or worries about the future? Whatever the cause – explore ways of finding a solution.
How Cerebral Palsy Scotland can help
Find out how Cerebral Palsy Scotland supports adults with CP by providing therapy and other services.
Our Annual Self Check can help identify areas where changes are beginning to happen and help with deciding if it’s time to get some advice or help.