Caregiving

[Genvimom]

Right now my ex and I are the only ones who have had formal training caring for my daughter so she always has to be with one of us. Since he takes her during the day while I am at work (she is not going to school at this time but I would like to try it next year) I have her all night and every weekend by myself. The ENT nurse said that we could teach others how to care for her, I did a two hour lesson for some ladies from my Bible study group at church who wanted to learn but I am nervous about leaving her with someone else. Has anyone else trained other caregivers?

We don't qualify for nursing, she is not sick enough (that is a blessing, I know!) - we had a nurse come for an hour every other day for the first two weeks we were home and that was it.

[TommysMommy]

I taught my mother in law Tommy's care and he is a lot more complicated! (feeding tube, heart defects, prematurity) It just came down to trusting her and letting go! She stepped up like a champ and I'd leave him alone with her in a heartbeat.

[suzanne2545]

We don't have any family nearby but we did teach my mom Parker's care and she has been left alone with him before. Ian's mom and a babysitter have been trained enough that they have cared for him while I was doing other things in the house.

Remember, you didn't know how to do any of this once upon a time. There are others who can be trained and trusted over time. It doesn't mean that you have to give someone a 10 minute overview and then leave for 4 hours. You can work with someone over time.

Plus, if your daughter is pretty stable, I assume she can communicate her needs to some extent?

good luck.

[suzanne2545]

I forgot to say that our hospital told us that they were willing to formally train caregivers if we wanted them to. They had some stipulations like how often they would care for Parker, so we never really had anyone who would qualify, but you might check your hospital.

[Christamae]

A lady from my church volunteered to learn-trach, suction, vent, gtube, and lifting. She is now a great friend.

Teach them. Then have them be in charge while you are there. Then leave for somewhere close. And gradually increase time and distance.

[aydenava]

Christamae couldnt have said it any better!

[Hope]

Amen to all the above - you need the help! A break every now and then is good for everyone involved!
Hope

[bradensmom]

I've trained some family members, but I am not comfortable training anyone that doesn't love him. He can't tell me if they do something wrong or don't do something that they should do.
I am a very protective mother.
Amy

[Genvimom]

I forgot to say that our hospital told us that they were willing to formally train caregivers if we wanted them to. They had some stipulations like how often they would care for Parker, so we never really had anyone who would qualify, but you might check your hospital.
That is a good suggestion but our hospital is 100 miles away from where we live so it is not really an option.

[drct1245]

I agree w/ Christamae... We actually taught our friend's daughter (who is 22) and she comes at lunch when our nurse has to visit a different case. I also work about 5 minutes from home, so if there is an issue, I am there. It did take a little more time being comfortable than with the nurses.
:hug:
Dawn

[Kate]

We have trained my mother and my mother-in-law...though really they have only stayed with him a few times. Now that we are expecting another-we are trying to train a couple of close friends. My best friend is a speech path. so she is very comfortable with trachs-we'll only ask her to stay with him if it is an emergency. We have nursing care so they get the nights-but it is hard during the day as we can't just grab someone to watch him. It is also very hard to trust someone. I always think if something happens-I want it to be with me and not someone else so I know exactly what happened.

It can be done-find someone you really trust and like the others said-take it slow. Good luck. :hug:

[JacobKaden]

We have trained a few Nannies now - more than I am happy about:rolleyes: Of the 7 we have trained in the past year, we have only felt comfortable leaving him with 3 of them, as they were the ones who stayed with us the longest and/or had previous trach experience already. It can be done. We have done all of the training ourselves.

[jacksprat]

Speaking firsthand, remembering being trained on this stuff, and seeing as how your daughter is 10, I think it is very important that your daughter is comfortable with whoever it is you are training. I failed miserable changing Becky's trach the first time because she was very nervous, which made me very nervous. I understand with kids, ya gotta do what ya gotta do, but when the person with the trach is old enough to know what is going on, they need to show their trust and be calm or else it just is not a good situation. Now, I have gotten it down to an art and can change her trach very quickly. Becky has also gotten to the point where she doesn't freak out when something happens, like her chain coming off. If she isn't calm, then people want to just run to the phone and call 911 even if it's something small like a hair in her trach.