FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR FAMILIES
When families are interested in learning more about New England Pediatric Care, they often ask many of the same questions. Hopefully, the following information is helpful to you. In addition, Social Service department and/or Administration would be happy to talk to you further about the services provided at NEPC.
- What do the children at New England Pediatric Care do each day?
- What is a particular school day like?
- What kind of therapies will my child receive and how often?
- When may I visit, and can other family members visit as well?
- Can my child come home for a visit?
- What will my child's room be like?
- How may I be involved in my child's care?
- How much individual attention will my child get?
- What happens if my child becomes ill?
- What happens on the day of admissions to the New England Pediatric Care?
- Do I have to give up custody of my child if he/she is admitted to New England Pediatric Care?
- Does admission to a skilled pediatric nursing facility mean there is no hope for my child?
- Will I have the opportunity to meet the families of the other children?
- If I want more information about New England Pediatric Care, or would like to take a tour what should I do?
1.) What do the children at New England Pediatric
Care do each day?
A.) A typical day at NEPC is filled with many activities.
It is our belief that the children benefit most from a consistent routine
that includes many opportunities for stimulation and interaction with
others. Daily schedules include bathing, grooming, dressing, and feeding,
along with medication and nursing treatments. Daytime hours are filled
with school, therapies, aquatics, and field trips, as well as medical
appointments and specialty clinics. Late afternoons and evenings include
our recreational program and other special activities. At various times
of the year, particularly around the holidays, local community and civic
groups visits NEPC and sponsor special events for our children. Our
volunteer program also provides special attention such as reading, music,
rocking and taking walks. Weekend time is less structured but includes
recreational programs, time for visits and family activities.
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2.) What is a particular school day like?
A.) Children attend school from 9:00am to 2:30 pm.
Monday through Friday all year round. During the school day, they participate
in activities, which are designated to maximize each childs level
of functioning. The activities are focused on sensory awareness, language
and communication, activities of daily living, positioning, gross motor,
and function skills. During the summer, our school is less structured.
It includes outdoor activities as well as community experiences, such
as trips to the beach or local parks, camping outing. Parents are welcomed
to visit the classroom during the day or participate in community trips.
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3.) What kind of therapies will my child receive
and how often?
A.) Children at NEPC have access to the full services
of the Rehabilitation Department. Therapies offered include: Occupations,
Physical, and speech Therapy as well as Therapeutic Recreation. In addition,
we run an aquatics program, which utilizes the indoor heated pool. Direct
services are provided on a one to one or small group basis. Indirect
services are offered through consultation to the classroom or nursing
personnel. The frequency and scope of services your child will receive
will vary depending upon their individual needs.
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4 .) When may I visit, and can other family
members visit as well?
A.) There are no restrictions on visiting at our facility.
Visitors may include children, grandparents, other family members, clergy,
etc. The best time to visit is between 3:00p.m. and 8:00p.m. on weekdays
an 1:00p.m and 8:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays, although you are
welcome to come at any time. While visiting, family members may take
their child off the units for walks around the building or visit in
the family rooms or other areas. During the nice weather, they can visit
outside or go to our specially adapted playground. We do ask families
to limit young childrens visits during the flu season, and for
families and friends to limit visitation if not feeling well themselves.
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5.) Can my child come home for a visit?
A.) Home visits for either the day or overnight are
allowed, although some restrictions apply. If you are planning a home
visit, please contact a nursing or social work staff in advance. We
will need to make arrangements for medications, equipment, etc, in order
that you may continue your childs care while they are outside
the facility.
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6.) What will my child's room be like?
A.) Two children share most rooms. We provide comforters
for the bed, but families are welcome to bring quilts or bedspreads
from home if they wish. Rooms may be personalized with toys, mobiles,
pictures, etc, to make rooms comfortable and homelike. Each room is
equipped with a bureau and a wardrobe for each child. If you desire,
one additional bureau can be brought from home for more storage space.
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7.) How may I be involved in my childs
care?
A.) Each family feels differently about how much they
want to participate in their childs daily care. Some want to
do a lot, while others feel comfortable having nursing care provide
this care. If you want to be involved in your childs daily care,
there is much you can do. Parents may bather, change or position their
children. They can give haircuts or clip nails. They can do weekly laundering
of clothes. Parents especially welcome to do lots of rocking, hugging,
holding, singing, or reading aloud to their child. Many parents enjoy
walking their child around the building or outside in warm weather.
We understand that each family is different and will do our best to
accommodate your wishes.
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8.) How much individual attention will my child
get?
A.) Families who have cared for their child at home
often wonder about this. Individual attention is provided to each child
in a variety of ways throughout the course of every day. For example,
care such as bathing, changing, dressing and feeding is all done on
an individual basis. Children also receive individualized programming
at various times during the school day. In addition, we utilize volunteers
who spend special one to one time singing, reading, rocking, walking,
or doing other activities your child particularly enjoys. We also design
our staffing patterns such that the same staff members' as much
as possible care for children. This allows them to know your child well,
to be familiar with their habits, their likes and dislikes, and their
special needs. Although we care for many children here, we strive to
make it as personal and homelike as possible.
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9.) What happens if my child becomes ill?
A.) If your child is not feeling well, he or she will
be seen by one of our attending pediatricians. Should this occur when
a physician is not in the building, the will be consulted by telephone
and if necessary will come in to see the child. Parents are called if
the situation is felt serious and not just a case of the sniffles.
Hospitalization is sometimes necessary in which case admission is arranged
to the hospital of your choice. In the case of a medical emergency,
your child will be sent immediately to the nearest local hospital for
treatment.
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10.) What happens on the day of admissions
to the New England Pediatric Care?
A.) The day of your child's admission can be
busy, but it is designed to ensure a successful transition to our facility.
On the day of arrival, your child will receive an extensive nursing
assessment. Your child will also receive a physical examination by one
of our attending physicians within the first 48 hours following admission.
A full medical history will be gathered as well as details of your child's
habits, likes, dislikes, and special needs. Family members are given
a tour of the unit and introduced to the staff, particularly the primary
nurse who will be caring for your child. An inventory will be taken
of all the personal belongings you bring for your child. Procedures
on the unit will be explained to you. Any questions you have will be
answered. You may spend as much time as you like getting your child
settled in their room, arranging their toys, etc. You are encouraged
to visit as frequently as want or to have regular telephone contact
with staff to reassure yourself that all is going well.
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11.) Do I have to give up custody of my child
if he/she is admitted to New England Pediatric Care?
A.) No! Admission to NEPC does not affect your parental
rights or guardianship status in any way. Our goal is to keep families
together as much as possible during the time that your
child is a resident here. As a parent/guardian, all major medical and
educational decisions are subject to your approval just as when your
child is living in your home.
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12.) Does admission to a skilled pediatric
nursing facility mean there is no hope for my child?
A.) Absolutely not! Our facility prides itself on it
philosophy of developing each child to his or her fullest potential.
No matter what impairments a child may have, the staff constantly works
towards building on a child's strengths to encourage the highest
possible level of independent functioning.
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13.) Will I have the opportunity to meet the
families of the other children?
A.) Yes. There are a number of ways you may meet other
families. First, you may request to speak with one of them prior to
your child's admission. These families can best tell you what
it is like to have a child at our facility and provide emotional support
and understanding at a time when you may be feeling confused, sad, or
guilty. It is natural to feel this way when faced with the decision
to have your child live away from home, even if only for a short time.
Each of our families has faced a similar decision and you may find it
helpful to speak with them. NEPC also offers a number of family activities
to which parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. are invited. These have
included a seasonal carnival, Halloween haunted house, a winter holiday
fair and a spring road race. (The last two are fundraising events sponsored
by NEPC, which you are invited to participate in any way you wish.)
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14.) If I want more information about New England
Pediatric Care, or would like to take a tour what should I do?
A.) To learn more about our facility, call or come
visit us. We are happy to have you tour our facility and speak to our
staff. Appointments can be arranged by calling (978)667-5123
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