Cerebral Palsy Life Care Plan

Fact Checked

A cerebral palsy life care plan is a written plan for the current and future needs of a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy and disabilities. Your child’s life care plan should include numerous factors and considerations, such as expected medical expenses, educational costs, and home accommodations. A detailed life care plan includes the transition to adulthood.

What Is a Life Care Plan?

A care plan is a detailed map, generally constructed by an experienced cerebral palsy attorney, with the assistance of physicians, nurses, and other professionals that will help with your child’s health, medical, mental, and emotional needs for life.[1]

A life care plan can be used in settlement negotiations or a civil trial to prove the costs associated with the child’s lifetime care. It’s also considered a “blueprint” for parents and caregivers to understand the child’s long-term needs.

A life care plan generally includes:

• Educational costs and expenses
• Current medical costs and expenses and a list of medical professionals that currently assist the child
• Home accommodation expenses and needed home accessories costs
• Expected future medical costs and expenses throughout the child’s life
• Rehabilitation services required and expected
• A list of blood tests and X-rays the child will need
• Adaptive equipment and toys
• Complete list of medication the child is likely to need throughout their lifetime
• Medical and therapy goals
• In-home care expenses
• Vocational counseling and costs to help transition into adulthood
• Prosthetics and mobility aids
• Expected living expenses when the child transitions into adulthood

Why Does My Child Need a Life Care Plan?

A life care plan helps disabled children with cerebral palsy with medical, educational, rehabilitation, and emotional needs throughout their lifetime.

A life care plan is a legal document that outlines what the child will need in all areas mentioned above.

Experts recommend a life care plan for any disabled child who will need assistance and care throughout their life.

A life care plan details the type of assistance needed for the child and the associated costs.

Also, numerous parents of adults with cerebral palsy have reported that caring for their adult children makes it extremely difficult to save for emergencies or retirement.

In some instances, parents of adults with cerebral palsy cannot take care of their adult children at all.

A life care plan ensures that a child’s medical, emotional, and educational needs are met, helping them transition more effectively into adulthood.

What Is Included in a Cerebral Palsy Life Care Plan?

A life care plan includes everything a child will need as they grow up and become adults. It begins with all current medical records, education plans, therapy records, and bills.

The professionals involved in creating the life care plan describe the child’s current status in terms of health and expenses. They project into the future to determine the child’s likely needs in the future.

The cost analysis of a life care plan depends on many things, including the severity of cerebral palsy, any associated conditions with the disorder, the child’s individual needs, the child’s expected lifespan, and cognitive and emotional issues.[2]

Although a life care plan cannot predict the exact amount of expenses each child will need, financial experts work with the care plan to formulate expected inflation in costs and fees as the child ages.

Finally, a life care plan includes scenarios where parents can no longer care for the child. These are important legal considerations for who will become the child’s guardian and be responsible for their care and expenses.

Who Can Help Make a Life Care Plan for My Child?

Talk to your primary physician about preparing a life care plan. Also, contact a cerebral palsy attorney experienced in creating life care plans and knowledgeable in handling cases involving children with special needs.

A lawyer can help you create a life care plan that considers all the legal and financial aspects of living with cerebral palsy. Many other professionals are often involved in creating complete life care plans: 

• Pediatricians
• Neurologists
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Speech/language pathologists
• Nutritionists/dieticians
• Home modification experts
• Financial planners

If you have a child with cerebral palsy, make a life care plan to ensure their future needs are met. Talk to your doctor and lawyer to get started.