how to handle home care nursing staff

Choosing home health care can help reduce the stress on both family members and patients but it also brings about changes in relationships and to the physical environment of the home. This is difficult enough for adults to process, for children it can take extra time and effort. Working to help the children in your home understand the need for in home care and the changes it will bring can help reduce the stress and trauma they experience.

Changes in Physical Setup

While in-home care can provide needed relief for patients and caregivers, it can also bring new equipment and supplies into the home. While children are naturally curious, some equipment such as hospital beds, oxygen tanks, and wheelchairs can be intimidating. Preparing a child by showing them pictures of equipment, visiting a hospital supply store, or reading books about home care can help reduce the stress they will feel with the changes. 

Depending on the home's layout, such changes may also mean rearranging rooms or using rooms for other purposes. Involving children in this process instead of simply surprising them can help them feel involved and better understand the process.

Changes in Routines

In-home care can come with not just equipment but also nurses, therapists, and other providers. This can mean a change in a child's routine and the introduction of new people into their lives. Having a child meet caregivers and become familiar will reduce the feeling of upheaval. 

If care means a change in a child's schedule for activities or other events, it is best to discuss it ahead of time. If children are very young, a continual dialog of what is happening and what will happen next may be effective in reducing stress.

Changes in Family Dynamic

Introducing in-home care can change the family dynamic. If the patient has not lived in the home before, it will mean a large adjustment. However, even a small change in caregiving responsibility can cause the dynamic to change. Children can sense tension and uncertainty and act out in ways that may seem unrelated to what is happening. If your children exhibit negative or concerning behavior changes, it is best to speak to your family doctor or other specialist to learn ways to help them deal with the emotions they are experiencing.  

Remember that even the youngest of children can be affected by the smallest of changes, so it is better to be proactive in dealing with the changes in home care can create. For more information, contact Queen City Home Care or a similar location.