Mobile nursing helps families care for seriously ill children at home

MOKI Tirol, a nonprofit mobile paediatric nursing and palliative care service, supports families caring for sick children at home across Tirol, ORF reports. Its services include support after a birth or operation and care for children with serious, sometimes incurable, illnesses.

“We try to ensure that children spend as little time as possible in hospital and as much time as possible at home,” managing director Elke Reiner said.

Care ranges from changing dressings after an accident to looking after seriously ill children and teenagers. MOKI staff also teach parents how to operate medical equipment. Some families have what Reiner described as “small intensive care units” at home, with devices such as suction machines, ventilators and inhalers.

The service also provides follow-up care for premature and high-risk births. For children with incurable diagnoses, MOKI offers palliative care, including outings and activities they wish to do. Staff also help families prepare for the challenges of caring for a dying child through conversations and support at home.

MOKI’s services are largely funded through the health insurance fund and the regional government.