Traditionally, many people have viewed home care services as a resource for aging adults who need assistance with activities of daily living. And while caregiver agency clients are typically seniors, companies like BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey have recently been assisting more-and-more families with pediatric and child care needs. COVID-19 and extended school and company closures have made life especially challenging for families with vulnerable children.
Here are ways pediatric home care services benefit families and children, including those with special needs and medical considerations.
Child Care, Supervision & Companionship
“Virtual schooling” combined with work-from-home policies have created a child care dilemma for countless families across Santa Monica, Marina del Rey and West Los Angeles. On one hand, students need to replicate a classroom environment through engaging video-based lessons. But on the other hand, parents require a quiet workspace from which to conduct business. And just because an adult may be present in the home doesn’t mean he or she has the freedom to care for a child during working hours.
A home care agency with child care resources can give parents the respite normally provided by school. A passionate caregiver can offer supervision and companionship throughout the day, empowering the child’s parent to focus 100% on work during business hours. Living in close proximity 24/7 doesn’t mean families can’t create the space necessary for productivity in either work or schooling. And a caregiver can help facilitate healthy boundaries!
Assistance with “Virtual Learning”
Unfortunately, many families are finding that technology has limitations when it comes to “virtual learning.” Although video conference lessons sound like a good idea in theory, evidence suggests student-teacher engagement is limited. And since children learn through different communication mediums, some are more adversely affected than others. Finally, varying degrees of technology fluency among both children and their parents can also affect results.
Agencies that specialize in pediatric services, like BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can provide caregivers who serve as unofficial tutors during virtual lessons. While they are equipped to help more generally with supervision and child care, these aides can also be appropriately matched by technology acumen and educational background. And once the classroom sessions are over, the caregivers can then assist with homework assignments and help to ensure students are staying on task.
Special Needs & Disabilities
As discussed, Los Angeles area school districts are accommodating social-distancing guidelines by leveraging virtual classroom solutions. However, technology often has limitations for children with either physical or learning disabilities. A student with visual impairment, for example, may be disproportionately affected by video conferencing that relies heavily on the use of charts, diagrams, and other imagery. And students with learning disabilities might not be able to ask follow-up questions from teachers so far removed from their audiences.
This latter group of children have been especially hard-hit by virtual education. In fact, their parents may find that remote classes are ineffective altogether without the presence of an in-person tutor to provide timely assistance. Many moms and dads have reported sitting-in on every single lesson with their children. But what happens when parents don’t have the time to serve as daily tutors? BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey can provide a qualified aide who shares the burden while also providing general supervision and childcare.
Home-Based Pediatric Nursing
Beyond the negative educational consequences of virtual learning programs, families with physically disabled children have found that school closures affect other healthcare resources. Many of the these most vulnerable young people are left with unattended needs. So, their mothers and fathers must attempt to fill the daily gaps in care while still holding down their own jobs.
With certain diagnoses and related medical needs, the mission can be quite daunting. Does a son or daughter require a daily injection? Will a student’s adherence to medication directives be maintained if he or she is home alone during the weekdays? Are there physical, speech or occupational therapy regimens that need to be maintained in the home?
A pediatric home care and nursing agency such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey can ease assist by providing robust healthcare services that harmonize with family and virtual schooling schedules. In fact, the same nurse who completes necessary medical tasks may also be able to address other needs previously discussed, including general supervision and tutoring. An all-inclusive resource for both healthcare and child care needs may be the perfect solution for some families during these challenging times!
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, all family dynamics are unique, and everyone is managing the COVID-19 pandemic differently. Child care solutions will vary depending on individual circumstances. But it is clear that many schools in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey and Los Angeles are closed for the time being, having transitioned to “virtual learning.” And while the efforts to continue educating are to be commended, many students are being left behind. Fortunately, robust home care agencies can provide parents with all-inclusive child care solutions to address a variety of supervision, educational and nursing needs.
If you’re a mom or dad seeking customized child care resources, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free consultation!
Here are ways pediatric home care services benefit families and children, including those with special needs and medical considerations.
Child Care, Supervision & Companionship
“Virtual schooling” combined with work-from-home policies have created a child care dilemma for countless families across Santa Monica, Marina del Rey and West Los Angeles. On one hand, students need to replicate a classroom environment through engaging video-based lessons. But on the other hand, parents require a quiet workspace from which to conduct business. And just because an adult may be present in the home doesn’t mean he or she has the freedom to care for a child during working hours.
A home care agency with child care resources can give parents the respite normally provided by school. A passionate caregiver can offer supervision and companionship throughout the day, empowering the child’s parent to focus 100% on work during business hours. Living in close proximity 24/7 doesn’t mean families can’t create the space necessary for productivity in either work or schooling. And a caregiver can help facilitate healthy boundaries!
Assistance with “Virtual Learning”
Unfortunately, many families are finding that technology has limitations when it comes to “virtual learning.” Although video conference lessons sound like a good idea in theory, evidence suggests student-teacher engagement is limited. And since children learn through different communication mediums, some are more adversely affected than others. Finally, varying degrees of technology fluency among both children and their parents can also affect results.
Agencies that specialize in pediatric services, like BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can provide caregivers who serve as unofficial tutors during virtual lessons. While they are equipped to help more generally with supervision and child care, these aides can also be appropriately matched by technology acumen and educational background. And once the classroom sessions are over, the caregivers can then assist with homework assignments and help to ensure students are staying on task.
Special Needs & Disabilities
As discussed, Los Angeles area school districts are accommodating social-distancing guidelines by leveraging virtual classroom solutions. However, technology often has limitations for children with either physical or learning disabilities. A student with visual impairment, for example, may be disproportionately affected by video conferencing that relies heavily on the use of charts, diagrams, and other imagery. And students with learning disabilities might not be able to ask follow-up questions from teachers so far removed from their audiences.
This latter group of children have been especially hard-hit by virtual education. In fact, their parents may find that remote classes are ineffective altogether without the presence of an in-person tutor to provide timely assistance. Many moms and dads have reported sitting-in on every single lesson with their children. But what happens when parents don’t have the time to serve as daily tutors? BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey can provide a qualified aide who shares the burden while also providing general supervision and childcare.
Home-Based Pediatric Nursing
Beyond the negative educational consequences of virtual learning programs, families with physically disabled children have found that school closures affect other healthcare resources. Many of the these most vulnerable young people are left with unattended needs. So, their mothers and fathers must attempt to fill the daily gaps in care while still holding down their own jobs.
With certain diagnoses and related medical needs, the mission can be quite daunting. Does a son or daughter require a daily injection? Will a student’s adherence to medication directives be maintained if he or she is home alone during the weekdays? Are there physical, speech or occupational therapy regimens that need to be maintained in the home?
A pediatric home care and nursing agency such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey can ease assist by providing robust healthcare services that harmonize with family and virtual schooling schedules. In fact, the same nurse who completes necessary medical tasks may also be able to address other needs previously discussed, including general supervision and tutoring. An all-inclusive resource for both healthcare and child care needs may be the perfect solution for some families during these challenging times!
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, all family dynamics are unique, and everyone is managing the COVID-19 pandemic differently. Child care solutions will vary depending on individual circumstances. But it is clear that many schools in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey and Los Angeles are closed for the time being, having transitioned to “virtual learning.” And while the efforts to continue educating are to be commended, many students are being left behind. Fortunately, robust home care agencies can provide parents with all-inclusive child care solutions to address a variety of supervision, educational and nursing needs.
If you’re a mom or dad seeking customized child care resources, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free consultation!