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Overview
Palliative care improves your child’s quality of life by easing their symptoms so they can just be kids.
We also attend to your entire family’s physical, psychological and spiritual needs. These six core activities define our care model:
Communicating with the family
Controlling symptoms
Managing complications caused by the disease or its treatment
Planning for advanced care
Providing psychosocial care for the child and family
Tending to the dying, if appropriate
Any child living with a serious, life-threatening or life-limiting illness can benefit from palliative care services. These services are not only for children nearing the end of life. Families can use our services from their child’s diagnosis through their completed treatment.
About our treatments
Each child is unique, and we tailor our palliative care services to meet their specific needs. Our experts work with your child’s entire care team to minimize suffering and preserve your child’s ability to function normally.
The treatment process
There’s no single playbook for treating a seriously ill child. We work closely with your child’s care team to understand the diagnosis.
We recognize the specific challenges your child faces. Then, we make a plan so your child can live as normally as possible.
We also focus on the needs of your family members. It’s important to know that neither you nor your child is alone during this difficult time. From psychosocial help to spiritual care services, we meet your entire family’s needs.
Meet our team
Effective palliative care takes a team effort. Our experts partner with your whole family.
Together we make your child as comfortable as possible before, during and after their medical treatment. Our team consists of several specialists, such as:
Advanced practice nurses
Chaplains
Child life specialists
Health psychologists
Pharmacists
Physicians
Social workers
Location
Pediatric palliative care services are available at American Family Children's Hospital for children of all ages and their families. Please talk to your provider to make arrangements.
Patient support and services
Learn more about the role of palliative medicine in your child's care and find resources to help you talk about difficult topics.
Learn how the palliative care process benefits your child.
Parenting is hard and parenting a child through a serious illness can be harder.