Pediatric Home Care Tips for Parents and Guardians

Getting ready for home care

When a family turns to BAYADA Pediatrics to care for their child, it’s often their first experience with pediatric home care. Most are unprepared and unsure of what to expect. What needs to be done at home to accommodate their child’s care? How will it affect the other family members’ lives? Will home still feel like home? Perhaps you have the same questions and worries.

At BAYADA Pediatrics, we understand what an overwhelming and life-changing event this is. Our goal is to make the transition to home care as smooth as possible by helping you prepare for changes to your home and your lifestyle.

video of bayada client kourtney

Below are some tips and suggestions of things to do and think about before bringing care into your home.

  1. To accommodate your child’s needs, you may want to consider rearranging some of your home furnishings. Our clinical managers can offer tips and suggestions.
  2. You can keep your child’s room cheery and kid-friendly, and still have the necessary medical supplies within easy reach. Try stowing them in the types of colorful bins and drawers that you would often see in a kid’s room (plastic rolling bins with drawers or an over the door shoe organizer are great). Or how about wicker or soft-sided baskets?
  3. It’s always a good idea to have more than one family member trained to provide care for your child in the event of an unplanned need. Although we always make every effort to be at your home when expected, weather emergencies, illnesses, or other unforeseen situations can sometimes affect the coverage.
  4. Remember that regardless of how many caregivers are part of your child’s care team, you are still in charge of your home. Our caregivers are always mindful that they are guests in your home and that your preferences should be respected at all times.
  5. Providing your child’s caregivers with a list of “need to know” issues can be helpful. Don’t be shy about communicating your rules and expectations prior to your home care professional coming to your home. This will help create a positive environment for you, your family, and your home care professional. For example, where should they park? Where they can keep their lunch? What door should they use to enter? What restroom should they use? Where are supplies located? A dry erase board is a great way to help with communication and organization.
  6. Please feel empowered to address any concerns with your home care professional. If you are not comfortable speaking directly your home care professional, please contact your client services manager or clinical manager.
  7. Try to maintain your household routine as much as possible; keeping a sense of normalcy is important for all your family members.
  8. Remember that you are still a family, with needs and desires just like any other. As much as you can, try to find time for yourself and your family to do regular family activities. Get rest when you can. Arrange private time with your spouse, significant other, or other children.
  9. Your BAYADA Pediatrics care team is carefully selected with your child and your family in mind, so let us know what makes your family unique. We make it a priority to match your child with caregivers who are not only trained to provide the care your child needs, but who are most likely to fit with your family on a personal level as well.
  10. To help you remember all the topics you want to discuss with your child’s doctor at the next visit, try keeping a running list of questions. And don’t forget to bring any physician orders with you.

Nothing can replace the understanding and support of another parent in the same situation. There are many support groups and other resources available.