The Need

CHILDREN AT RISK

The Need is Critical

Children with complex needs typically have more than one chronic condition and have lifelong functional impairments. Some children come to our facility as infants after they leave the neonatal ward. They may not be ready to carry out normal infant tasks like breathing independently. In addition to caring for children with intense chronic conditions, PATCHES provides daily care for children who have been released from acute care but are recovering from very major events like organ transplants or near-drownings. Children can be there a long time – a year or two – receiving intensive treatment.

Even for older children, options are extremely limited. There is an enormous shortage of nurses trained to deal with pediatric home care. Those who are available are often unwilling to accept cases in high crime areas or those cases with poor living conditions. Many of the homes have insufficient electrical outlets to support medical equipment, lack air conditioning and other basic needs for care and comfort. Parents lack the sufficient education and time to properly administer medications and follow up on needed therapies.

Children at PATCHES may be:

• Terminally ill
• Preemies making up 49% of the PATCHES population
• Recovering from complex surgeries
• Suffering with asthma, respiratory issues
• Have life threatening Cardiac issues
• Cerebral Palsy
• Epilepsy
• Rare genetic disorders
• Pre and post Organ transplants
• Born with AIDS
• Down Syndrome children with medically complex issues
• 59% of children in poverty make up the PATCHES population
• 50.3% of children are from single family homes

FAMILIES AT RISK

An emotional and financial toll

PATCHES understands that with every child comes a family struggling to balance their lives and manage their child’s health. At PATCHES, each family joins our PATCHES family of professional nurses, therapists, and educators, and we do what is needed to ensure they receive everything necessary to care for their child competently. PATCHES reaches out to guide, educate, and support parents, and provide a comprehensive network of support for families in need.

No parent chooses to conceive a child that is born with or is stricken with a critical, long-term medical condition. Almost half of the children at PATCHES are from families who live below the poverty line. PATCHES believes that all children, rich or poor with complex illnesses have the right to live their lives free of pain and have the opportunity to learn, grow, play and thrive and take their place in our community.