Are you looking for a place to care for your child with Special Medical Needs?

Tender Care PPEC in Dunnellon is the ideal environment for your medically complex and fragile child. Our facility is designed to offer comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of each child. With a dedicated team of registered nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and therapists, all specially trained in pediatric care, we ensure that your child receives expert attention in a nurturing, supportive setting. We understand the delicate nature of your child’s medical needs, and we are committed to providing a safe, caring, and comfortable space where they can thrive.

Our program goes beyond basic care to foster an atmosphere similar to a daycare, where children feel comfortable and at ease. In this setting, we encourage socialization, learning, and personal growth through structured activities, therapeutic interventions, and individualized attention. Our goal is to create a space that not only addresses your child’s medical needs but also supports their emotional, social, and developmental well-being.

At Tender Care, we recognize the importance of family involvement in the care process. We believe that strong partnerships between families, physicians, nurses, and therapists are essential to delivering the best possible care. By working together, we strive to create a customized care plan that reflects your child’s unique needs, preferences, and goals. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely with you to ensure that your child’s medical, emotional, and developmental needs are met every step of the way.

We are deeply committed to making a meaningful and positive difference in your child’s life. Whether it’s through enhancing their medical stability, supporting their developmental milestones, or simply providing peace of mind for you as a parent, we are here to ensure that your child receives the highest quality care in a compassionate and family-centered environment.

Contact us today to schedule a tour of our facility! We look forward to meeting you and your family!

What is PPEC?

PPEC stands for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. A PPEC center is a licensed, non-residential, day treatment program prescribed by a physician for medically complex and technologically dependent children. Care is provided by a team of skilled pediatric professionals.

PPEC Offers Many Advantages…

To the child/family:

• Centrally located nursing and therapy decreases intrusions into family dynamics at home
• Increased socialization with other children
• Decreased hospitalization
• Personalized case management ensuring the best care for your child
• Offers caregivers increased potential to return to work or school
• Early detection of potential health problems by licensed professionals

To the payer:

• Decreased hospitalizations through early detection and case management
• Increased compliance with plan of care resulting in less utilization of health care benefits
• An average savings of 40% to 50% compared to Home Health services

Common pediatric diagnoses that indicate a potential need for daily skilled nursing services:

• Premature infants diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, apnea of prematurity, oxygen and pulse oximetry dependence
• Cerebral palsy with gastrostomy or jejunostomy dependence and/or seizures
• Spina bifida with or without an Arnold Chiari malformation and shunt monitoring, and urinary catheterization dependence
• Certain cardiac anomalies
• Post-transplant status
• Immunosuppressed status
• Tracheostomy status (with or without ventilator dependence)
• Failure to thrive
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• History of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
• Adrenal Insufficiency
• Presence of a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, or vesicostomy