How is pediatric palliative care different than hospice?
When a child is facing a serious ongoing illness, parents are often overwhelmed by the new challenges they face, from understanding the initial diagnosis to pursuing treatment plans on behalf of their child to their changing care needs over time. Pediatric palliative care and hospice are terms that are often mixed up, creating even more confusion in an already confusing time.
What is pediatric palliative care? How does it differ from hospice? How does it help a child regain their quality of life while fighting serious illness? Pediatric hospice and palliative care physician Katherine Mollo, DO, offered answers to common questions.
What is pediatric palliative care and who is eligible for it?
“Pediatric palliative care is an aspect of pediatrics that focuses on working with our patients to improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Mollo. “We work with patients and their families on helping with those distressing, uncomfortable symptoms, talking through the goals you have for ongoing care and providing support for the whole family.”
Children who are medically complex and those with life-altering or life-limiting diseases may be eligible.
How is pediatric palliative care different from hospice?
“Pediatric palliative care is a spectrum, and that spectrum includes pediatric hospice,” said Dr. Mollo. “Palliative care ideally should be started when your child is diagnosed, so both the child and their family can be supported throughout the experience.”
Hospice care is provided within the last six months of a child’s life, if the disease was to take its expected course. Pediatric hospice care differs from adult hospice, as children can have concurrent care hospice. This means children do not have to stop their treatments to qualify for hospice services.
For example, a child with cancer can receive chemotherapy while being on hospice.
Who is on a pediatric palliative care team?
“We focus on multidisciplinary care during this time, so we use a team to make sure we’re meeting every need,” said Dr. Mollo. “A pediatric palliative care team is made up of a physician, advanced practice providers, nurses, social work, chaplaincy and child life specialists.”
There are different types of suffering while facing serious illness, whether it’s physical, emotional, spiritual or psychological. Your team is focused on supporting the entire family by offering different approaches and perspectives.
How is pediatric palliative care helpful?
“One of the most important things pediatric palliative care does is look beyond just this moment, just this treatment, just this day,” said Dr. Mollo. “We’re looking at the whole child and whole family.”
This larger focus helps the care team look at the medical aspects of care and also what is important to the child and family in their everyday life. It provides consistency during the hospital course and future stays.
“We are able to build relationships with our families where we know what is important to them and can advocate for them,” said Dr. Mollo. “It is a resource that can help families navigate difficult decisions, the medical system, offer support and help improve quality of life. We’re here to help you and your family make every moment count.”
For a child, receiving care can be confusing and scary.
Prisma Health Child Life Services offers activities and services that help children learn about what they will see, feel and hear in the hospital or medical setting.
