The primary goal of pediatric palliative care is to improve quality of life for infants, children, and teens who are experiencing a serious illness. Our team can help alleviate the symptoms of medical conditions and the side effects of treatment, so our patients can live as fully as possible during their medical journeys. We also provide psychosocial and emotional support for patients and their families, counseling them on what to expect and how to cope as they move forward with treatment.
Our caring team of doctors, nurses, and social workers are a part of the Pediatric Advanced and Complex Care Team (PACCT). We collaborate with a patient’s primary health care team, child-family life specialists, integrative medicine specialists and spiritual health providers to offer an extra layer of support. We consider it an honor to serve families who are going through a difficult time, and we can provide special care, guidance, and assistance for kids who have a serious or chronic illness.
If palliative care is recommended for your child, it does not necessarily mean they are nearing the end of life. In fact, many patients are referred by medical professionals to help ease the symptoms of curative treatments, and they receive palliative care in conjunction with disease-centered treatment. Referring doctors may suggest palliative care to manage unpleasant side effects, such as, pain, nausea, vomiting, feeding intolerance, and anxiety. Since pediatric palliative care complements the disease-focused care patients receive, it is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness.
Our team provides a voice for kids and what they need, no matter the circumstances of their illness. To help parents, we partner with other specialists to coordinate care and advocate for infants, children, and teens, with their entire well-being in mind. Our team is service-oriented, and we do everything we can to support families during hard-to-face situations. We counsel families on all of their options for treatment, partner to establish goals of care, guide them through the decision-making process, and support them through the course of their illness. If challenging issues come up, we can guide you through important conversations you might need to have with providers and family members.
If your infant, child, or adolescent is experiencing a serious illness, pediatric palliative care can be beneficial to their wellbeing. We can help manage symptoms, relieve pain and discomfort, and improve quality of life to meet your child’s unique emotional, social, and spiritual needs. With palliative care, your whole family gets the opportunity to live life to the fullest.
