Family Emergencies with a Medically-Complex Child: How The Children’s Home Can Help

Life happens: family emergencies, planned medical procedures, last minute out-of-town obligations. And that means readily-available child care is a top priority. But for family caregivers with a medically fragile child, not just anyone is qualified to follow a medical care plan with specifics on medication administration, technology use, medical monitoring and more.

Pamela Keen, CEO of The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center, took note of this gap in the continuum of care for family caregivers.

“Family caregivers can’t always turn to relatives and friends to care for their medically fragile child,” says Keen. “And in-home care, in a pinch, is sometimes an unrealistic option. The Children’s Home offers Continued Care at the Pediatric Specialty Hospital so families can take care of business knowing their child will be comfortable, healthy and safe with our in-house physicians and nurses.”

With Continued Care, children may be admitted to the Pediatric Specialty Hospital for round-the-clock care and monitoring from doctors, mid-level providers and pediatric nurses. Homelike and comfortable, this low-stress environment features large, private rooms and bathrooms, televisions, Xbox consoles, WIFI and more. A commercial kitchen and dietary service prepares all meals according to each child’s unique needs and requirements.

Families may also visit 24/7 throughout a child’s stay, with availability to “room-in” bedside with the child in designated family living spaces. With a physician’s recommendation for continued care, most insurances cover the cost of the stay at The Children’s Home.

Caring for a medically complex child can be tricky — The Children’s Home is here to help. Admittance to Continued Care is dependent on the circumstance. Call to learn more about Continued Care at the Pediatric Specialty Hospital or arrange a tour to learn more about services first hand: (412) 345-7983.

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