Providers Who Use Prescription Drugs

[Unregistered]

Im about to open an in home daycare and ve already had a few interviews. But my friend tells me that I should disclose to the parents that I see a chronic pain specialist and have for three years who monitors my medications via urine and blood checks etc. she said because I'm on lorcet and a pain patch I should tell all of my daycare parent all about it. I've been on these same meds for two to three years and I'm followed every other month with my doctor .

What do you guys think about this?? I'm taking lorcet by mouth and the every three day patches . Prt of me says because I'm regulated on them and I'm not impaired, it's non of the parents business. Even people who don't know I'm on the pills and patches are surprised because they had no idea. I've asked my doctor if I appear even mildy impaired to him. He says no, the only reason he would know I was taking something is my pupils?

So my question is this.... Do I tell parents or not"?? If you were a parent at my interview and I disclosed the above, would you leave your kids here or not??

Thanks for your replies in advanced.

[youretooloud]

I wouldn't leave my kids there. Not that you aren't completely fine, but I'd cut my losses before I was invested. Just in case you could no longer deal with daycare, and the pain at the same time.

I, personally wouldn't say anything. I don't feel like it's anyone's business. If you do decide you need to quit daycare, it's no different than finding out you have a serious illness, or need to relocate, or something else. When you find childcare, there's always the risk that the provider won't still be doing daycare in two or three years.

[Unregistered]

What if I had excellent references that proved I could deal with pain and Childcare... Or a note from my doctor...

So basically what I'm getting is to just not disclose.

[Willow]

I would definitely want to know.

I would not leave my children in the care of someone under the influence of any narcotic.


If I was a provider in your shoes I would absolutely disclose it.

[Cradle2crayons]

From my standpoint, I think is be pretty open minded. I'd want to know from the potential providers doctor that says there isn't any contraindications to the provider doing daycare, I'd also ask for lots of references. And if I went on an interview I'm pretty sure I can tell if the is impaired in just a few minutes. If all went well, I'd see no reason why provider couldn't do great at Childcare. Good luck OP

[Blackcat31]

If a doctor has cleared you for care of children and your licensing agency knows about your condition, I would NOT disclose anything to anyone.

NOT because I think you should "hide" it but because you legally don't have to tell people unless you are required to....kwim?

My husband is a type 1 insulin diabetic. He takes medication to control his condition. He is NOT required by law to tell anyone this information.

Depending on what your condition is and what the possibilities are that you could become impaired enough to not be able to provide care alone, I would keep my personal life private.

[youretooloud]

So basically what I'm getting is to just not disclose.

That is my own personal opinion. If you don't feel like it will have anything to do with your daycare, then it shouldn't be said.

I might suggest not transporting kids though. Mostly to protect yourself, because, again, i'm sure you are completely capable. But, people (insurance companies, lawyers) look for any loophole they can find.

[Willow]

What if I had excellent references that proved I could deal with pain and Childcare... Or a note from my doctor...

So basically what I'm getting is to just not disclose.

Would you want your families doing the same thing to you? Hiding that their child was on serious prescription drugs that may or may not affect their day to day abilities?

Narcotics are what they are. They DO impair. It's the very nature of what they are.


Disclose while offering your references and notes from your doctor, then hope for the best.

I think it's really wrong not to be open about a medical issue of this severity though.


I'm not even sure licensing would be ok with that where I live.....

[Cradle2crayons]

Because its well known there is a huge difference in someone who takes pain medications long term. They tend to not have issues with being impaired... A least compared to someone who has only been on them a few weeks. The chronic takers in general aren't impaired as opposed to the ones who has just started.

[Blackcat31]

Im about to open an in home daycare and ve already had a few interviews. But my friend tells me that I should disclose to the parents that I see a chronic pain specialist and have for three years who monitors my medications via urine and blood checks etc. she said because I'm on lorcet and a pain patch I should tell all of my daycare parent all about it. I've been on these same meds for two to three years and I'm followed every other month with my doctor .

What do you guys think about this?? I'm taking lorcet by mouth and the every three day patches . Prt of me says because I'm regulated on them and I'm not impaired, it's non of the parents business. Even people who don't know I'm on the pills and patches are surprised because they had no idea. I've asked my doctor if I appear even mildy impaired to him. He says no, the only reason he would know I was taking something is my pupils?

So my question is this.... Do I tell parents or not"?? If you were a parent at my interview and I disclosed the above, would you leave your kids here or not??

Thanks for your replies in advanced.

Are you currently providing care to children?

Is this a hypothetical question?

[Willow]

Because its well known there is a huge difference in someone who takes pain medications long term. They tend to not have issues with being impaired... A least compared to someone who has only been on them a few weeks. The chronic takers in general aren't impaired as opposed to the ones who has just started.

My ex father-in-law is a functioning alcoholic.

He can put down a bottle of EJ in the morning, brush his teeth and go to work and no one would ever know otherwise because he's been doing it the last 30+ years.

So does that mean that because his body has learned to compensate for any obvious impairments, that he should be allowed to care for children or other vulnerable beings?


Unequivocal - NO.

[Willow]

Are you currently providing care to children?

Is this a hypothetical question?

I'll add to that, if it's not a hypothetical question and you are currently providing care to children are you or have you ever been licensed?

[Cradle2crayons]

Well from my expire nice as a nurse, lots of nurses were on chronic daily pain medication for legit emits problems and cared doe by pan diction etc. there is a way to tell if a nurse is impaired. Howevr, this happens all over the world. Funny(or not) rarely could even a pro tell which nurses are on daily narcotic pills a day,,

[Unregistered]

I'm not hypothetical.

[Blackcat31]

there is a way to tell if a nurse is impaired.

....there is also a way to tell who posters are.