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Learn MorePediatric palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, side effects, and stress in children and families facing a serious illness. Palliative care focuses on making each day the best day possible.
The palliative care team is specially trained to provide this type of care. The team works with the primary medical team, patients, and families to plan care. Palliative care can happen at any stage of illness and for patients of any age.
The main goals of palliative care for children are to:
What is palliative care and why does it make a difference?
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Learn more about palliative care and how it can make a difference.
Early palliative care is better. It can improve daily life during treatment. It can also lead to better treatment results.
Palliative care is another layer of support at any time during a serious illness.
Palliative care specialists are trained to meet the needs associated with serious illness. The team usually includes a palliative care doctor, nurse, and social worker. However, many different health care professionals often work together in supportive care to meet the specific concerns of child and family. Palliative care can and should begin at the start of a child’s difficult illness journey.
A palliative care team may include:
The palliative care team does not replace a patient’s regular medical team. Rather, they serve as partners in providing optimal personalized care.
Ask your child’s care team about palliative care. Find out your options. Care team members can provide a referral. Some medical centers offer palliative care as soon as a child is diagnosed with a serious illness.
Many health insurance plans cover palliative care services.
The following brochures, available from NHPCO's CaringInfo, provide information to families caring for seriously ill children:
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Reviewed: January 2024