User:Pediatric17/Resources for Technology-Dependent Children and Their Families (Memphis, TN)

Technology-Dependent Children

Children who are dependent upon technology have respiratory failure or insufficiency, and are required to have specialized medical equipment to sustain their lives. Technology-dependent children are usually dependent on technology from the start of birth, during, or after a serious illness. These children typically need round the clock care; because of this, they have a specialized medical team that provide care for them in the hospital and the community.

Examples of medical equipment utilized by these children include:
* Mechanical Ventilators
* BiPAP
* Supplemental Oxygen
* Tracheotomies
* Cardio respiratory monitors
* Many more... 

Supporting Parents Caring for Technology-Dependent Children

For parents, it may be emotionally and mentally stressful to find adequate resources and help in the Memphis, TN area, to aid in living a "normal" life and keep the family unit together as a whole. As these children and their families require expensive specialized care, trusting and trained caregivers, and continual emotional support, many parents struggle with finding daycare, paying bills, and grieving properly. Below are resources in the Memphis, TN area that may assist in the search for help in caring for such fragile children.

Resources for Parents

Desoto Pediatric Extended Care- DPEC

Good option for parents who need daycare services for their technology-dependent children. This facility offers trained and educated caretakers who can provide individualized care for fragile children; allowing parents to be less anxious knowing their child is with a professional caregiver.

Location and hours of operation:
750 Stateline Rd. E, Southaven, Mississippi
(662)393-3366
Open from 7:30a.m.-5:30p.m.
  
Services offered: 
The DPEC serves children as early as newborns to 21 years old. They must be medically fragile or dependent upon technology, have a medical diagnosis, and need the care of a nurse. They offer a daycare service for these children until they age out or, until the child becomes advanced enough to not need nursing interventions throughout the day. Medications and food are given on a set schedule; however, the food has to be brought by the parents. They will feed or give meds through NGT or GI tubes, and are trained on trach care, and other assistive devices.

Cost of services: 
Services are covered through insurance. They take state insurance: Medicaid, United Health Care, and Mississippi state insurances. Parents do not pay out of pocket.
  
How resources are accessed:
The child must have a doctors order and be referred to the facility by a doctor. You can access DPEC through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DeSotoPPEC/?fref=ts

Agape Child and Family Center

Option for parents seeking financial assistance. The Agape Child and Family Center helps relieve the increased financial burden that parents of technology-dependent children typically have. 

Location and hours of operation:
3160 Directors Rd, Memphis, TN
Phone (901)323-3600
Open 24/7

Services offered:
The Agape Child and Family Center assists individuals in need of help including individuals with disabilities, developmental delays, and special needs individuals and their families. Services include, assessing needs of each individual that seeks care, familial counseling, referrals, assistance with bill payment, assistance with housing, assistance with utilities, child care services, families in transition, assistance with cleaning supplies, assistance with food, and assistance with medical care/equipment.
  
Cost of services:
Services are free to individuals in need of assistance. This is a non-profit organization that provides services through fundraising, donations, and community support.
 
How resources are accessed:
The Agape Child and Family Center accepts walk-ins, referrals, and recommendations. They have an open door policy; if a child and/or family are in need of assistance, they can stop by or call anytime of the day. Website: http://agapemeanslove.org/

The Bereavement Group

Allows parents to express feelings of grief associated with the death of a child, family, or friend of someone who was dependent on technology.

Location and hours of operation:
FedEx Family House
918 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN
Every first Tuesday from 5:30p.m.-7:00p.m.

Services offered:
A support group for parents, siblings, and family members whose children received services from Le Bonheur in any capacity, with various diagnoses prior to his/her death.
 
Cost of services:
There is no cost associated with the group.

How resources are accessed:
The group welcomes all ages. Walk-ins are welcomed. This is an open group; therefore, people are welcome to join at any time. The group is also open to the public; however, participants are always affiliated with Le Bonheur in some capacity. Anyone interested in attending should contact Chaplin Sarita Wilson Guffin at Sarita.WilsonGuffin@LeBonheur.org.