Medical technology has made it possible for many sick children, otherwise hospitalized, to be cared for at home. Often, though, the family is unqualified to undertake the kind of skilled nursing and therapy required, needs assistance with household maintenance or is in need of respite. In San Antonio, Texas, there are several pediatric home health care agencies that provide some or all of these services.
Agencies
Agencies that provide pediatric home health care in San Antonio include Circle of Care, Special Kids Care, Epic Medstaff, National Nursing and Rehab and Adaptive Health Services. All provide skilled care in nursing, physical, speech and occupational therapy, and some provide other services, such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, sitting and companions. Most of these agencies specialize in pediatric home health care, although Adaptive Health Services and National Nursing and Rehab both also serve adults.
Staffing
All home care agencies serving San Antonio boast highly trained, thoroughly screened staff. Every agency staffs RNs and LVNs, occupational, speech and physical therapists, as well as case managers to oversee all aspects of care. Case managers typically help with things like ordering medical equipment, interfacing with insurance companies and managing the staff who provide the actual care. Epic Medstaff and National Nursing and Rehab provide home health aides, and Epic Medstaff employs sitters and companions.
Services
Different levels of care can be found among agencies serving San Antonio. All provide skilled nursing for things like IV therapy, ventilator/trache care and gastrostomy care. Special Kids Care provides nursing for conditions requiring life-sustaining equipment and frequent medical interventions, specializing in high acuity respiratory conditions and dependence on technology. Epic Medstaff offers services such as medication management, wound care, nutrition management, and will educate clients on conditions like cardiac disease, pulmonary disease and diabetes.
Costs
Home health care is less costly than a health care facility, and is typically covered by Medicaid or health insurance. All home health care agencies in San Antonio accept both types of payment, though some portion of the cost usually must be paid out-of-pocket. It is possible to appeal to community organizations for help with funding home care, such as local chapters of the American Cancer Society and the National Easter Seal Society.
Choosing an Agency
Choosing an agency can be overwhelming, especially when already caring for a sick child. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) provides a complete listing of pediatric home care agencies in San Antonio and elsewhere, and a list of things to ask when talking to agencies. The Texas chapter of NAHC, Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice, also provides information and resources, and is knowledgeable about the specifics of home care agencies and regulations within the state of Texas.
