Appendix D AtaGlance

Appendix D

®
OMB# 0925-0653, Exp: April
30, 2018
™

®

Pediatric Palliative Care
at a Glance
A child’s serious illness affects the entire family. Pediatric palliative (pal-lee-uh-tiv)
care can support everyone. Whether you are having difficulty managing your child’s
condition and care or simply want extra support, palliative care can help.

What is pediatric palliative care?
Pediatric palliative care is supportive care for children with serious illnesses and their
families. It offers an added layer of support based on your unique needs. Because
you are the expert on your child and family, palliative care provides services that you
consider important. It can help:

ENHANCING

QUALITY
OF LIFE
FOR YOUR
CHILD AND
FAMILY

• Ease your child’s pain and other symptoms

• Coordinate care and appointments

• Provide emotional support and reduce stress

• Explain complicated terms and care options

• Address family concerns

• Locate community resources to help your
family

• Communicate with health providers

Many children need more than relief from symptoms. Palliative care can also help your child:
• Understand a diagnosis

• Receive services, like art or music therapy

• Communicate effectively with doctors

• Find ways to relax and play

• Cope with concerns about school and friends

When can care start?
Palliative care can help children at any age or stage of a serious illness, from diagnosis forward. It is
available at the same time as any other treatments doctors may prescribe and can begin as soon as your
child needs it. Care for your child and family can begin when your child’s health care provider refers you to
palliative care services. The provider may suggest a referral, or you can request one.

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Care Connection

Comfort

Communication

Coordination

How does it work?
Palliative care surrounds your family with a team of specialists who will listen to your needs and work
together to meet them.
Every palliative care team is different. Your team may include:
• Doctors

• Art and music therapists

• Home health aides

• Nurses

• Chaplains

• Social workers

• Child life specialists

• Case managers

• Nutritionists

• Respite providers

• Counselors

• Pharmacists

Where is care provided?
Palliative care can be provided in a hospital, during clinic visits, or at home.
If palliative care starts in the hospital, your team can help your child make a
successful move to your home or other health care setting. Depending on your
child’s condition and treatment, the care team may be able to find a nursing or
community care agency to support care at home.

Who pays for care?

YOU DON’T
HAVE TO BE
IN A

HOSPITAL
TO GET

PALLIATIVE
CARE.

Many insurance plans cover palliative care. Ask your health care team to put you
in touch with a social worker, case manager, or financial advisor at your hospital or clinic to learn about
payment options.

What next?
• Talk to your loved ones, including your child, about how palliative care can support your family.
Remember, even young children can express their needs and preferences.
• Talk to your child’s health care provider. Prepare by writing down your family’s questions about
palliative care. It may also help to take notes during the conversation.
• Visit the Palliative Care Provider Directory of Hospitals to see whether a hospital in your area offers a
palliative care program: http://getpalliativecare.org/.
• Find additional information and resources: http://www.ninr.nih.gov/conversationsmatter.

http://www.ninr.nih.gov
August 2015
NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®

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