Welcoming nurses and other home health caregivers into your home to care for your child may not be something you ever imagined doing. But if you ask other parents whose children receive home health care services, they are likely to tell you that they couldn’t imagine life without it.
That’s because pediatric home health care helps keep your child safe and your family together. It allows you to sleep, go to work, and take care of all the responsibilities you have. Over time, the nurses and other caregivers will likely start to feel like family. But in the beginning, navigating this new normal can feel overwhelming. Here are some ways to help make the transition to home health nursing a smoother one:
Put on your oxygen mask first
Ensure that your have a self-care plan for adequate sleep, meals and self-care. Parents facing new diagnoses for their children often find themselves exhausted and afraid to sleep their first week home. Don't forget that you can and should take breaks and rest when the nurses are there caring for your child.
Delegate help offered from others
When people say reach out for anything you need. Give them a task. It could be a grocery shopping, meal prep, cleaning or laundry. If friends or family offer to help accept and delegate.
Journal
Take some quiet time to journal to share your emotional journey taking your child home. This can also be used as a place to capture questions for upcoming doctor appointments.
Join a support group
Ask your facility for available resources. It's important to have a group who understands the journey of families with a medically complex child. See our list of support groups here.
Sibling support/help
Make sure the siblings have support resources and/or ask family for help if babysitting is needed. Take time for 1:1 time for the sibling(s) and try to schedule regular date nights with your partner, and keep social connections when possible.