How Hospice Helps Pediatric Patients With Advanced Illness

Pediatric palliative and hospice care is a lifeline for children facing serious illnesses, offering age-appropriate symptom management, medical care, and emotional support to improve their quality of life.

Pediatric palliative and hospice care is available for patients from birth to 21 years of age. In some cases, support begins even before birth, helping families prepare for the journey ahead. Children referred for palliative or hospice care often face complex diagnoses and symptoms associated with conditions like advanced cancer, HIV, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, metabolic disorders, and muscular dystrophy.

What sets pediatric hospice apart is its flexibility. Children can continue receiving curative treatments alongside palliative care (called concurrent care), ensuring they have access to every avenue of support when it matters most.

Eligibility guidelines for pediatric hospice

A child with a life expectancy of six months or less is eligible for hospice care. Palliative care can be provided at any time in the child's disease trajectory, but the best time to incorporate it is as soon as a diagnosis is made; it may include therapeutic play with a specialist when the diagnosis is made or music therapy during treatment to minimize discomfort.

VITAS Advantage: What makes us different

At VITAS, we believe in family-centered care, where parents take the lead in shaping their child's care plan in collaboration with their physician. Key features of our pediatric program include:

• Pediatric Expertise: Our team includes child life specialists and pediatric-trained physicians, registered nurses, social workers, chaplains, and hospice aides, all skilled in addressing the unique needs of children and their families. Volunteers and specialists like respiratory therapists and dietitians provide additional support, ensuring all of the child’s needs are addressed.
• Medical Team Collaboration: Our pediatric-trained experts educate medical teams about palliative options and are available to help prepare physicians for family consultations about a child’s next phase of care (e.g., the risks-benefits of procedures) or pending decisions (e.g., whether to continue or stop certain treatments).
• 24/7/365 Availability: Around-the-clock availability gives families peace of mind and mitigates 911 calls, emergency room visits, and rehospitalizations.
• Supportive Therapies: From music, art, and play therapy to massage and Paw Pals^® pet visits, we provide a range of integrative services to enhance the child’s experience.
• Family and Sibling Support: We help educate parents about their child’s diagnosis, prognosis, and care needs. We also offer sibling counseling and ongoing bereavement support for the entire family. 

常見問答

What is pediatric palliative and hospice care?

Pediatric palliative and hospice care focuses on improving the quality of life for children with serious illnesses. It provides age-appropriate symptom management, medical care, and emotional support for patients and their families.

Who is eligible for pediatric hospice care?

Pediatric hospice care is available for children from birth to 21 years of age. In some cases, support begins even before birth. Children with conditions such as advanced cancer, HIV, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, metabolic disorders, and muscular dystrophy may benefit from hospice care.

Can a child continue curative treatments while receiving hospice care?

Yes, pediatric hospice care is unique in that children can receive curative treatments alongside palliative care. This ensures that families don't have to choose between comfort and pursuing potential cures.

When should we consider starting palliative care?

Palliative care can be introduced at any stage of a child's illness, but it's most beneficial when started as soon as a diagnosis is made. Early integration allows for therapies like music, art, and play therapy to complement curative treatments and provide holistic support.