Pediatric Palliative Care

When to Use Our Program

Our pediatric palliative care program serves children of any age with any life-threatening or chronic diagnosis. We strive to ease children’s pain, fulfill their desires and tend to their comfort. Care is provided wherever the child lives—at home, in a residential facility or hospital or at a hospice care center. Even a child in a neonatal or pediatric intensive care unit can benefit from pain control, symptom management and emotional support offered through our program.

What We Do For Families

Our program complements other treatment options, including curative care. We help families navigate the healthcare system, make decisions and access benefits. The specialized team also assists by guiding families through recurring feelings of grief or sadness. Our team works to support families by helping them manage care, prepare for life transitions and cope with sadness and other difficult emotions. Additional support is provided by trained volunteers.

Specialized Team

Palliative care is provided by a transdisciplinary team that works closely with a child’s own physician and a team of expert pediatric physicians from leading health organizations, in order to create an individual plan of care. The team includes a nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse, social worker, spiritual care coordinator and expressive therapist who have experience working with families and children. The pediatric bereavement coordinator remains in contact with the family for two years after the child’s death. We also offer monthly support groups for families, and grief support is available to the child’s classmates and religious or social groups

Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Services

Since 1978, we have been providing hospice and palliative care to adults with serious illnesses and their families. In 1985, we cared for our first pediatric patient, and we are one of the few pediatric hospice and palliative programs in the country.

Financial Coverage

As a non-profit organization, services are provided regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. Most services are covered by private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. A financial advocate is available as part of Our Care Promise.

Quality of Life

When a child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening or chronic illness, decision making can become difficult.

“It was so rough in the beginning. Looking back, we know we couldn’t have done this alone. No parent should be alone at such a painful and heart-wrenching time.” – Patient’s mother

Resources

Pediatric Palliative Care

Our pediatric palliative care program cares for children of any age with any life-threatening or chronic diagnosis.