At Family First Homecare, we understand the challenges that homecare can bring. Welcoming a nurse into your home can be a big life adjustment for you and your family. That’s why we’ve gathered four helpful tips to make your pediatric homecare journey a bit smoother. Hopefully, these tips help you as you begin your home health care journey.
1. Find support
Being a parent of a child with medical complexities can feel overwhelming. It’s important to lean on close family and friends for support—not just for your child, but to help care for yourself as well. A strong support system is essential for maintaining your and your child’s physical and emotional well-being.
Remember, it takes a village. Lean on your circle of friends and family and consider finding support groups with other parents who are familiar with homecare. It can be extremely helpful to hear from others who understand the pressures of having loved ones who require extra care. Other parents can give you guidance, perspective, and encouragement on your homecare journey.
We put together a list of helpful resources for caregivers, including a couple of support groups for parents. Start there, and be sure to ask your doctors, nurses, and community about any local support groups.
Read More: Resources For Family Caregivers2. Prioritize self-care
As a parent, it can be easy to forget about your own self-care when you are constantly thinking about the health and well-being of your child. We encourage parents to take a moment for themselves each day to prioritize their own well-being, even if it is just 10-15 minutes. Taking this time for yourself allows you to be more present for your child when they need you most.
Spend your moment of self-care doing things that are calming, rejuvenating, or peaceful. Try breathing exercises, reading, meditation, walking, or exercising. These small acts of self-care will make a huge difference in the end. To give our best care to others, we must also take time to care for ourselves.
“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.”
— Katie Reed, Writer
3. Learn to delegate
It can feel overwhelming when the responsibility for your child’s care rests entirely on your shoulders. It is so important to accept help from others so you don’t get burnt out.
To delegate, start by identifying the tasks that need to get done. Then, choose people in your life that you trust to help you with these tasks. You don’t have to do it alone. If your child has siblings, teach them activities they can do with your child. You can ask neighbors or friends to help with meals or other necessary errands. Not only does this help with your mental load, but it also allows other family members and friends to connect with you and your family by lending a helping hand.
Learning to ask for help can be a game-changer for parents of pediatric homecare patients. The more you become comfortable with delegation, the more enriched and manageable your life will become.
If you don’t already have one, you may want to welcome a pediatric homecare nurse into your life to help with the medical care of your loved one. Explore our services or contact our team today to get started.
Learn More: Our ServicesWelcome compassionate care into your life.
Welcoming homecare services into your life can be a transformative experience for parents. It marks a significant shift from feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities to experiencing relief and support.
As you begin your homecare journey, it’s essential to start with open and clear communication. Establish clear expectations to ensure everyone understands what is needed for the best care possible. Building a connection with your nurse is also beneficial, as they will play a vital role in your family’s journey. Having a welcoming atmosphere and attitude helps everyone feel more comfortable, fostering positive relationships and effective collaboration between you, your family, and your child’s homecare nurse.
Here is a testimonial from one of our patient’s families that illustrates how welcoming care into your life can be very impactful for both you and your child.
“Family First Homecare has staffed us with nurses who go above and beyond to care for Kai. Lesa and Vilma both come into our home and feel like family, and they treat Kai as such as well. Kai has a hard time adjusting and warming up to new people, but he quickly built a bond with Vilma that surprised us all and is very excited to see her there when he wakes up in the morning. 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.”
– Stephanie K., Parent
By embracing these tips and the support of Family First Homecare, parents can navigate the challenges of pediatric homecare with greater confidence and peace of mind.
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