Palliative Care In Pediatrics

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Palliative care is a special kind of health care. This care provides comfort and support to children with serious, long-term or life-threatening conditions, or who are near the end of life. It may also be given when caregivers are unsure if the child will get better or worse, or if it seems he may live for several months or years. Palliative care in children is commonly given to those with inborn problems which are not compatible with prolonged life. Children with heart or brain conditions, and diseases, such as cancer and AIDS, may also benefit from palliative care.
  
  
• Palliative care is also given to the child's family, including his parents and siblings. This care aims to give the best quality of life in physical, psychological (mental), social, emotional, and spiritual ways. It may be given along with other treatments and may last until the child's cure or death. Homes, hospitals, schools or free-standing health centers or facilities may be able to provide palliative care.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of these medicines, the amounts, and when and why the child needs them. Bring the list of his medicines or the pill bottles when you see his caregivers. Learn why the child takes each medicine. Ask for information about the medicines. Do not let the child take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Make sure all medicine is used as directed by caregivers. Call the caregiver if you think the child's medicines are not helping or if you feel he is having side effects. Do not let the child quit taking his medicines until it is discussed with his caregiver.

Follow-up visits:

Keep all appointments. Write down any questions about the child's condition, treatment, or care. Ask these questions at the next caregiver visit.

Caring for the child:

• Keep the child company. Always be willing to listen to the child, especially as he talks about his life, hopes, and dreams. Do things together, such as watching television and reading books, or just stay with the child.
  
  
• Help the child keep his hopes up and keep a positive yet realistic outlook. Help the child to be calm, relaxed, and comfortable. Work together with people whom the child can trust to help him get through the hard times.
  
  
• Learn more about the child's condition. Having information about the child's condition can help you better understand what he is going through. Most children, just like adults, want to be included in their treatment and care plan. Avoid holding back information that you think the child should not hear or cannot understand. Work with caregivers and other people to help the child.
  
  
• Respect the child's feelings and other emotions. Let the child express fears and concerns about dying, such as leaving family and friends behind. This includes communication through body language, or activities, such as drawing pictures, playing with stuffed animals, and writing stories.

Continuing care:

A caregiver may arrange services to assist the child's social needs. These may include home care, school reentry, transportation, rehabilitation, and counseling. A caregiver may also refer the child to different health care providers and services. They make sure that care given to the child continues as his condition changes.

Coping:

Counseling and emotional support for sick children are given as part of palliative care. They are free to express their emotional needs to someone who is willing to listen. A caregiver may talk to the child, his family, friends, or those who take care of him. Patients and families may join support groups, or meet other children and families in similar situations. Ask caregivers for more information about support groups.

For support and more information:

Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

• National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
  1700 Diagonal Road, Ste 625
  Alexandria , VA 22314
  Phone: 1- 703 - 837-1500
  Phone: 1- 800 - 658-8898
  Web Address: http://www.nho.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The child cannot or does not want to eat, drink, or take his medicines.
  
  
• The child cannot make it to his next meeting with his caregiver.
  
  
• The child has new signs and symptoms since the last time he visited his caregiver.
  
  
• You or the child have questions or concerns about his condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The child feels like hurting himself or someone else.
  
  
• The child feels pain that is not relieved even by taking pain medicines.
  
  
• The child feels that he cannot cope with his condition.
  
  
• The child has problems sleeping.
  
  
• The child has trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.

Copyright © 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Palliative Care In Pediatrics (Discharge Care)