Providing Care When Your Child Has A Long-Term Illness

Statistics show that 3.2% of children aged 5-11 years who missed 11 or more days of school were either ill or injured. This may seem like a small number, but this is only one age bracket.  Even a few days off can be something that a lot of families have to  make adjustments for.  For example, if both parents are working who will stay home and administer care.  There’s also the concern about the time in school that has been lost.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on children with long-term illness.

Furthermore, a chronic or potentially debilitating condition can even be more concerning. The entire family’s life will be changed.  If you a have a child that has a long time illness, we have a few suggestions that may help you make the situation easier: 

Explaining The Illness To Your Child

Naturally, as a parent, your first thought is going to go toward your child’s health.  When you explain the situation to your child, be honest.  Especially, if the condition will require long term care.  Explain the sickness and the type of care that will be needed. Hospital stays and various procedures may be scary.  But, explain to your child that it’s necessary so they can get better. Depending on the age of the child, it may be important to remind them that their sickness is not their  fault.  

In some cases, you may want to consider getting professional counseling if your child is having a difficult time adjusting.  This is even more important if mortality is a concern.  In some cases, this can lead to acting out emotionally.  Depending on the severity of the condition, this can be normal.  Furthermore, you may want to see someone for yourself as well. Studies show that stress levels in parents tends to spike when it comes to dealing with children’s health.  This can stem from the child’s condition as well as the lack of control that goes with it.  

Home Health Care

When your child has a long term illness, parents must avoid getting overwhelmed and stressed out.  As a result, consider home healthcare.  In general, home healthcare encompasses a series of procedures that can be done in your home for an illness or injury. Home healthcare can include a variety of procedures, including:

• Monitoring what your child is eating and drinking.
• Checking your child’s vitals, like blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
• Ensuring your child is taking their medication and handling their health treatments correctly.
• Teaching parents how to provide the needed care and making sure it done properly.
• Coordinating care with doctors and hospital staff.

The intention isn’t to supplant hospital visits or appointments, but to take a little bit of pressure off of the family and patient themselves.  When you’re child has a long term illness, additional help is invaluable.  

Additionally, there are many resources you can go to for home healthcare assistance.  Providing care when your child has a long term illness is essential.  So, check out home healthcare providers, industry associations, and other experts in the healthcare field.  This includes sick children, the disabled, and the elderly. 

Finally, long term illness affects each member of the family.  You not only have to adjust the child’s lifestyle, but your own, your spouse’s and other children. This is a massive undertaking on an emotional level as well being a financial burden.  It’s okay to feel overwhelmed every now and then. What you want to do is combat this issue by getting plenty of help and support for your family.  We hope that you find our tips on children on long term illness beneficial.