When is home care an option for your family?

The first article in this four-part series about home health care for children explained the basics of home care, including what kinds of health professionals and services can be provided, as well as the advantages of in-home care for both the child and family.

This second installment is intended to help parents who are unsure about whether their special-needs child would be a candidate for home care. Perhaps the most obvious need for care in the home is when a child is medically fragile and on a ventilator or other medical equipment that requires a nurse in the home. But there is a whole spectrum of home health care services that can support families in some less obvious but equally important ways. Here are three real-life scenarios where we have been able to step in and support parents who were unaware of the resources available to them:

Elizabeth and Jack both work full-time. They have Julie—a child with special needs. Elizabeth quits her job to stay at home with Julie; typical day care will not accept her because of feeding issues and potential aspiration (choking). After three years of being home, Elizabeth hears about Bayada Nurses and calls to see if we can help them. We explain that the insurance might pay for a nurse to come to the home so she can return to work and file all the necessary paperwork with the insurance company. The insurer reviews their case and approves nursing for Julie so Elizabeth can return to work.

Marjorie has Anna, a child who is a fragile diabetic. She has to keep Anna home from school because she needs frequent sugar level checks and medication, and the school can’t accommodate her needs. Marjorie hears about home health care and calls to see if we can help them. We explain that a nurse might be approved to go with Anna to school. We file all the necessary paperwork with the insurance company. Again, their insurance reviews the case and approves nursing at school for Anna. Anna is now able to go to school, just like her friends. Karen and Steve have Lucy, a 13-year-old child that has seizures. Karen and Steve have to take turns staying up all night to care for Lucy and go to work the next day. Exhausted, the parents call Bayada Nurses and explain their situation. We advise them, help them sort out the paperwork, and submit it to their insurance company. Lucy is approved for 8 hours of nursing at night so the parents can sleep.

The point to all of these true stories is that it never hurts to try. Each insurance company or program is different and will handle a family’s situation differently. A good home care company will be able to navigate through the process with you and find what’s available. Once the need for care services has been established, the home care company will work with the child’s physician and family to develop a personalized care plan specific to their individualized needs.

The next installment in this home care series will include a practical guide to the questions you need answered to ensure your child will receive the highest quality home care services available.