If this is your first time seeking pediatric home health for your loved one, we’ve rounded up three things to consider before embarking on the journey. But first, it’s important to have a general understanding of what pediatric homecare is and how it benefits your family.
What is pediatric homecare?
Pediatric homecare is a way to provide comprehensive pediatric care services and treatments to children with complex medical needs in the comfort of their homes. It allows children to receive necessary high-quality care from licensed caregivers without staying in a hospital or medical facility.
Often, pediatric homecare services give patients and their families more freedom and reduce stress greatly. It allows more time to spend together at home instead of dealing with the stress, costs, and hassle of staying in the hospital for weeks or months.
3 Things to Consider
If it is your first time seeking pediatric homecare, you likely don’t know what to expect or do in preparation for the transition.
Before making a final decision to transition your child to pediatric home health care services, it’s essential to consider several things. It’s a major decision that requires careful planning and preparation for the entire family. Here are three things you should consider when preparing for homecare.
1. Consider your child’s medical condition.
While you may be eager to jump right into homecare with the intent to lessen the burden and shorten a hospital stay, you must be sure that homecare is the right fit. Hospitals have state-of-the-art equipment and supplies on hand at all times and round-the-clock medical support in the case of an emergency.
Though homecare nurses are well-trained and understand your child’s medical needs, naturally, a home does not have the extensive resources of a hospital or healthcare facility. Talk to your child’s doctors and ensure that pediatric homecare is safe for your child’s specific needs. Consider any risks as well as all the benefits. Safety should always come first.
2. Find the perfect pediatric homecare provider that fits your family’s needs.
Once you have decided to transition your child home for pediatric homecare, it’s time to research prospective homecare providers. Not all providers are equal. Consider the company’s certifications, accreditations, and licenses. Check the provider’s website to seek testimonials and learn more about their company and its values.
Family First Homecare is committed to developing innovative and reliable strategies to reduce the possibility of hospitalizations and keep your child safely at home. Our nurses are highly educated and trained for your child’s individual needs. We prioritize the relationship with the entire family, focus on quality care, seek to improve standards and work to give you peace of mind.
“As his parents, it’s hard to trust anyone to care for your child let alone a child with significant needs but Family First Homecare made that transition seamless and easy with their open communication and understanding that the nurse has to be a perfect fit all around.”
Parent of Family First Homecare Patient
3. Consider your finances.
Taking care of a child with advanced medical needs can be financially exhausting. That’s especially true for long-term and permanent cases. It’s important to know your financial options and what sort of help you can get from the government. There are a couple of government programs that we recommend considering:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – A federal program that provides monthly assistance for infants and children with special needs or disabilities. Once your child qualifies for SSI, they will automatically qualify for Medicaid.
- Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) – A Medicaid waiver program providing qualified children with homecare services so that they can be brought home and receive medical services covered by Medicaid. Once your child is accepted into this program, they will automatically qualify for Medicaid.
Always ask your pediatric homecare provider about financial assistance opportunities. Family First Homecare accepts Managed Medicaid, commercial insurance, several government sources, and private payments. We are constantly working on ways to work with new insurance companies and payment options to ensure we are providing care to as many patients in need as possible.
Pediatric homecare services can be extremely beneficial for the patient and the entire family. Family First Homecare works to make everyone feel at home, carefully matching nurses and families. We deliver the highest standards of both care and communication to the families we serve. Our commitment to tell the truth, own the details, and raise the bar is evident in everything we do. Let’s get you home.