How to Get Home Care for Special Needs Babies

After spending weeks or even months in a neonatal intensive care unit, a special needs baby must adjust to life at home as quickly as possible. Many parents, however, may feel overwhelmed at first, especially if this is their first child. Getting home care and assistance for special needs babies is the first step for a smooth transition toward normal development, and a healthy and productive life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Pediatrician or health care specialist

1. Determine the amount of home care you will need after you bring your special needs baby home. Depending upon the condition of your infant, home care can range from a few hours of developmental counseling per week to a live-in nurse. Your budget, your health insurance and your needs will dictate which path you will take.
2. Consult with your pediatrician or health care professional about your options when it comes to home care. Not only will the doctor be able to recommend an appropriate level of home care, but she may also be able to recommend or refer a medical service that can help you. Ask your doctor to work out a plan with your health insurance company before you leave the hospital with your special needs baby.
3. Meet with the selected health care team that has been selected to assist you when you get home care for your infant. Interview your home care team and ask important questions about references, credentials and even philosophies on the treatment of special needs babies. Remember, these people will be spending a lot of time in your home, so compatibility and trust are important issues.
4. Get the best home care for special needs babies by consulting regularly with your physician, and thoroughly discussing the actions of your home care team. It's important that your home care staff and your pediatrician are on the same page with respect to your baby's care, and that the lines of communication flow freely and consistently to everyone.
5. Keep in touch with your health insurance company when you get home care for your child. Many insurance companies place a timeline on home care, depending upon the circumstances. You need constant feedback about any limitations in care, and you need to know if other options are available to you that may be covered by your policy.

Tips & Warnings

• Both parents of a special needs baby should take a course in infant CPR before leaving the hospital.