Allied health disability services make a big difference to Australians affected by disabilities, including the 34,000 people with cerebral palsy. This is the most common childhood motor disability, as a child is born with cerebral palsy in Australia every 20 hours. Caused by abnormal brain development, typically a brain injury in utero, children with cerebral palsy may have involuntary reflexes and rigid arms and legs.

In addition to long-term treatments such as physical therapy and medication, tube feeding is another important aspect of help for people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy. In fact, 1 in 5 people with cerebral palsy are tube-fed. If a child in your family is affected by cerebral palsy and requires tube-feeding formulas, here are a few key things you should know.

Why is Tube Feeding Necessary for Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy caregivers need to be aware of tube feeding formulas that help with poor nutrition, which is caused by feeding and swallowing challenges associated with CP. Tube feeding is a proven solution to these healthcare concerns that gives kids with cerebral palsy greater nutrition for their overall strength and development as they get older.

How Does Tube Feeding Work?

Many children with cerebral palsy don’t get the nutrients they need on their own or may not be able to swallow and digest food normally. Tube feeding formulas are used with gastrostomy tubes in the abdomen, which deliver food directly to the stomach. Tube feeding formulas are catered to each child’s nutritional needs to ensure they are fed the proper amount without making them sick.

Is Tube Feeding Expensive?

Tube feeding and related cerebral palsy treatment and management costs certainly add up. Comprehensive CP care costs an estimated $43,431 per Australian every year, with 37% of those costs let up to the family. That’s why it’s important to understand your options for plan management services to ensure you get the right level of financial support when paying for tube feeding and other cerebral palsy medical expenses. 

Feeding Tube Help for People with Disabilities

Dedicated disability care specialists near you understand how gastrostomy tubes work and how this help for people with disabilities plays a big role in cerebral palsy treatment and management. Learn more about Allied Health services here. 

For more information about feeding tubes for children with cerebral palsy, contact Fair Go Access disability support services in Geelong.