Does My Child Need a Skilled Nurse or a Caregiver?
Understanding In-Home Care Options in Georgia
Many Georgia parents caring for children with medical needs wonder: “What kind of help can I get at home, and which is best? A nurse or a caregiver?”
It’s a common question, and an important one. Georgia’s GAPP program covers both skilled nurses and personal care aides for medically fragile children under 21. But the right support depends on your child’s specific medical needs.
Typically, your child’s primary care doctor will play a big role in figuring out which care is best suited to your family. At Miralta, we work with your doctor to help families figure this out, and we take care of the paperwork too.
What Is a Skilled Nurse?
A skilled nurse is typically an RN or LPN who is trained to provide medical care that requires clinical expertise.
Skilled nurses can help with:
Feeding tubes (G-tube or NG tube care)
Tracheostomy or ventilator support
Seizure observation and medication administration
Wound care or catheter management
Monitoring complex conditions like epilepsy, hydrocephalus, or muscular dystrophy
If your child has a diagnosis that requires medical monitoring or procedures, GAPP may cover regular home visits from a skilled nurse, at no cost to you.
When looking for a skilled nurse, it’s important to speak with a home care provider about your child’s specific needs. When being matched with the nurse, be sure to ask about their skills, qualifications and experiences healing children with conditions similar to your own. That way, you’ll make sure you find a professional who can handle the most complex tasks for your medically fragile child.
What Is a Caregiver or Personal Support Aide?
A caregiver (such as a CNA or trained aide) provides non-medical support. This includes help with daily living tasks.
Caregivers can assist with:
Bathing and dressing
Lifting, transferring, and mobility support
Meal prep and feeding (non-medical)
Safety supervision
Personal hygiene and toileting
Caregiver is a general term that refers to a wide range of medical support professions, from certified nursing assistants, to family caregivers themselves. Through Georgia’s GAPP program, even a parent can become a caregiver, as long as they work with a licensed agency, complete the proper paperwork and go through the necessary training.
It’s important to note that even though many children can benefit from a caregiver, state-sponsored programs under Medicaid will typically only cover in-home caregiving if they patient is medically fragile.
Some families may qualify for both types of support. For example, a nurse during the day and a caregiver on weekends.
So, Which One Does My Child Need?
Here’s a quick rule of thumb. If your child:
Has seizures, feeding tube, or needs trach care → You typically qualify for skilled nursing (RN/LPN)
Needs help with bathing, dressing, or mobility → You may be assigned a caregiver or personal support aide
Needs both medical and daily living help → Possibly both types of care
Still unsure? That’s where we come in.
We’ll Help You Figure It Out (For Free)
At Miralta, we specialize in helping Georgia families access the care their children deserve. We:
Walk you through GAPP eligibility
Coordinate with your doctor
Submit all Medicaid paperwork
Match you with compassionate, qualified caregivers or nurses
We work with families across Georgia from Atlanta to Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, and beyond.
Ready to Get Started?
Let us help you find out what kind of support your child qualifies for.
Call us today or fill out our consultation form. We’re here to make the process simple, supportive, and stress-free.
