There is always the never-ending list of medications, appointments, and routines to take care of when someone has a child suffering from any chronic condition.
Most parents manage because they have no option but there is another alternative worth considering: in-home skilled nursing.
It’s not about replacing you as a caregiver. It’s about getting professional support where your child already feels comfortable.
What a Skilled Nurse Does at Home
A skilled nurse will handle the medical aspect of your child’s care. They come to your home and work directly with your child on:
- Medication management and observation for reactions
- Operating feeding tubes or breathing equipment
- Assistance in bathing and daily routines
- Monitoring changes in health status
- Coordination with your child’s physicians
Because they see your child most often, they notice patterns. They know what is normal and what warrants attention.
Why Being at Home Matters
It is just easier when you are in your own space. Your child doesn’t have to adjust to a new environment every time they need care.
They are with people they know, their own bed, the family pet.
That familiarity reduces anxiety and provides continuity similar to residential mental health care, making children more comfortable and cooperative.
The whole experience becomes less clinical and more manageable.
The Reality for Parents
Caring for a child with complex medical needs takes everything you have. You’re constantly monitoring, worrying, handling tasks that most parents never think about.
It affects your sleep, your ability to work, and your time with other family members.
Having a nurse come to your home changes that dynamic. You get some breathing room. The medical tasks are handled by someone trained to do them, which means:
- You can sleep without listening for every sound
- Your other kids get more of your attention
- You can focus on being a parent instead of a medical coordinator
The care still happens. You’re still involved. But you’re not doing it alone.
Health Benefits That Add Up
Children who receive consistent in-home nursing have fewer emergency room visits.
When someone’s checking on your child regularly, small issues get addressed before they become urgent problems.
A slight change in breathing patterns, early signs of skin breakdown, or subtle shifts in behavior – these things matter.
There’s also the practical matter of infection control. Kids with compromised immune systems do better when they’re not constantly exposed to waiting rooms full of sick people.
Home care keeps them in a cleaner, more controlled environment.
Recovery times tend to be shorter, and overall health remains more stable when care happens in a familiar setting.
Moving Forward
Ava Family Services has been working with the people of Georgia since 2016.
The majority of our cases include in-home care of children affected by conditions that include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders and more.
Our nurses understand what these families experience since we observe it on a daily basis.
When your child is covered by Medicaid, you do not have to pay anything to obtain such services.
We offer free in-home skilled nursing or personal care services to people who already have access to Medicaid (via Katie Beckett or otherwise).
Contact us at (404) 354-4388 or avafamilyservices.com. We will discuss your child’s needs. We’ll also assess if our services are suitable for them.
FAQs
How do I know if my child qualifies?
Children (under 21 years old) with Medicaid who need medical assistance or require daily activities to be assisted are usually eligible. You may call and we may guide you on the eligibility requirements.
What’s the cost?
Families whose children are under Medicaid do not need to make out of pocket payments.
Do we always have the same nurse?
We work to match families with consistent caregivers. It helps build trust.
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