Pediatric Palliative Care

Through a network of licensed hospices experienced in pediatric palliative care, the program provides services to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.Services will support the family's ability to care for the child at home and include consultation for pain and symptom management, assessment and case management; spiritual care; social services and counseling; volunteer support; respite care; emergency services, and bereavement care for family members in the event of the death of the child. There is no charge for the services.

The Pediatric Palliative Care Program differs from hospice care:

1. There is no requirement for a six month prognosis
2. Curative treatments can be continued, and 
3. The family need not discontinue the services of other providers.

 Children may be diagnosed with a wide variety of illnesses that could limit normal life expectancy such as advanced or progressive cancer, major organ failures, HIV, cystic fibrosis, progressive genetic, neurological or metabolic disorders, renal failure, or severe cerebral palsy.

For more information, contact one of these participating hospice programs or the Pediatric Palliative Care Network at the Mass Department of Public Health, 508-984-0617.  Additional  Pediatric Services Available Through Our Member Hospices

Pediatric Hospice

Selected HPCFM members provide comprehensive Pediatric Hospice services for children younger than 19 who have a prognosis of six months or less should the disease run its normal course and who are receiving care directed at comfort rather than cure. Services include nursing care, social services, spiritual care, personal care, volunteer support, all medications and medical equipment relating to the terminal illness, and bereavement support for the family.

All health plans in Massachusetts, including MassHealth and private insurers, include a hospice benefit.

Pediatric inpatient and pediatric hospice residence facilities. All health plans in Massachusetts, including MassHealth and private insurers, include a hospice benefit.

A number of HPCFM hospice members offer bereavement care for parents grieving the loss of a child and/or bereavement programs for grieving children.

Some hospices provide bereavement camp programs for grieving children. Please contact the individual hospice for program details and schedules.

Search the HOSPICE LOCATOR to find those members providing any of the following Pediatric services:

• Pediatric Palliative Care
• Pediatric Hospice Care
• Pediatric Inpatient or Residence
• Pediatric Individual and Group Bereavement Counseling 
• Pediatric Camps