Almost Home Kids

A BRIDGE FROM HOSP TO HOME FOR CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL COMPLEXITIES BY PROVIDING DIRECT PATIENT CARE, FAMILY EDUCATION, COORD SVCS, AND RESPITE CARE IN A HOME-LIKE SETTING.

THE TRANSITION CARE PROGRAM IS THE LINK BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND HOME FOR THE CHILD WHO HAS MEDICAL COMPLEXITIES AND IS CLINICALLY READY FOR DISCHARGE FROM A HOSPITAL, YET IMPORTANT FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED IN ORDER TO BRING THE CHILD HOME SAFELY. THE FAMILY MAY NEED FURTHER SUPPORT THROUGH TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT EDUCATION REGARDING THE CLINICAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD AND/OR NURSING AGENCY STAFFING PLAN. THE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM IS A SHORT-TERM STAY FOR A CHILD WHO IS MEDICALLY COMPLEX AND/OR MAY BE TECHNOLOGY DEPENDENT. FROM A 24-HOUR STAY TO ONE LASTING UP TO 14 DAYS, A CHILD IS PROVIDED WITH MEDICAL/NURSING CARE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN A SECURE AND THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT. FAMILIES MAY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM FOR A VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS TEMPORARY ABSENCE OF PRIVATE DUTY NURSING CARE AT HOME, PARENT ILLNESS, VACATIONS, FAMILY EMERGENCIES AND MUCH NEEDED REST. IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM SERVICES OCCUR ONSITE AT BOTH OF OUR 12-BED FACILITIES IN A HOME-LIKE SETTING WITH 24/7 CLINICAL CARE: TRANSITIONAL CARE, WHICH INCLUDES PARENT/GUARDIAN TRAINING AND A DETAILED HOME PLAN DEVELOPED OVER 120 DAYS, RESPITE CARE PROGRAMS - OUR ONSITE SERVICES INCLUDE EMERGENCY RESPITE (FOR WHEN A FAMILY NEEDS IMMEDIATE AND UNPLANNED RESPITE CARE FOR THEIR CHILD DUE TO A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, ILLNESS OF PRIMARY CARE GIVER OR ANY OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCE), RESPITE TRANSPORTATION (TO HELP CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS TRANSPORT THEIR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES WITH THEM TO AHK FOR RESPITE CARE), CASE MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT (TO HELP FAMILIES CONNECT WITH AND NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS, IN-HOME SHIFT NURSING, PROVIDING A COORDINATED MEDICAL TEAM, COUNSELING COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY), REGULAR ONSITE PHYSICAL AND SPEECH THERAPIES ARE PROVIDED TO ALL CHILDREN, ONSITE NUTRITIONIST AND PEDIATRIC WOUND CARE CONSULTANTS THAT DRASTICALLY REDUCE COSTLY AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION TO VISITS AND IMPROVE CARE, AN ONSITE CHILD-LIFE SPECIALIST TO HELP CHILDREN AT AHK COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THEIR COMPLEX MEDICAL HEALTH NEEDS THROUGH PLAY, AND MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, DESIGNED TO EDUCATE MEDICAL STUDENTS, RESIDENTS AND APRNS ON THE WIDE VARIETY OF CLINICAL AND NON-CLINICAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE CARE OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX HEALTHCARE NEEDS AND TO TEACH THEM ABOUT THE SYSTEMS OF CARE AND SUPPORT THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL COMPLEXITY AND THEIR FAMILIES IN A COMMUNITY SETTING.