How We Help Children
It can be overwhelming and isolating to have a child with complex medical conditions. We partner with families to bring an element of normalcy and joy into their lives. In addition to our around-the-clock skilled pediatric nursing, we offer everyday activities including play, art, music, movement and hydrotherapy.
George Mark Children’s House Services
George Mark Children’s House has supportive services for many unique needs that families of children who have terminal illnesses may go through.
Transitional Care
Palliative care for children who are no longer benefiting from an acute care hospital yet are not able to be cared for at home
End-of-Life Care
A patient’s family can stay in its own family suite and surround their child with love and support along with the support of the George Mark Children’s House end-of-life care team.
Respite Care
Provides high quality medical care (now includes cancer respite care) and appropriate activities while offering parents and families a short break from the nonstop care at home.
Bereavement Care
We provide Bereavement care for ongoing support of families following the death of their child.
Perinatal Care
Expertise, resources, support and information for at-risk preterm births and postnatally about the prognosis and prospective complications, establishing continuity of care for infants and parents.
George Mark Children’s House Programs
We develop an individualized care plan for each child, coordinating services among the George Mark care team—pediatricians, nurses and nursing assistants, social worker, child life specialist, palliative aquatics specialist, psychologist, support staff and volunteers.
Pediatric Palliative Aquatics
Being in the warm water helps to soothe an irritable nervous system, facilitate deep relaxation, and promote maximum movement and a feeling of well-being. There are many benefits to palliative aquatics and support many custom care plans.
Child Life
We provide a range of fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate activities including play, art, music, movement and drama to provide children with entertainment and joy during their stay.
Psychosocial Support
Transitional Care
Transitional Care at George Mark Children’s House is like going to school to learn how to take care of your child.
Rick
Parent
Transitional care facilitates an easier move between hospital and home, helping parents and caregivers gain more confidence about caring for their child. A transitional stay results in reduced stress, fewer emergency room visits, and fewer and shorter hospital stays. Our medical staff is available 24/7 to help parents and caregivers learn the appropriate safe care of their child, at their own speed, in a warm and supportive home-like setting. This support helps parents feel more confident about caring for their child and managing issues that arise when they return home. We are an ongoing resource—just a phone call away. Transitional care can also help a child get ready for a medical procedure. Children have been referred to George Mark to achieve the necessary compliance and readiness for medical treatments.
Benefits of Transitional Care
Reduce Stress
Fewer hospital visits
24/7 support
Home-like setting
End-of-Life Care
It’s great to have the ability to not let the grief take over your life.”
Forest Parent
End-of-Life Care Resources
Peaceful environment
Respect of care choices
Family counseling assistance
Programs for healing and grief
Respite Care
“The minute you step into this house, you become a family member and you will always be a part of the George Mark family.”
Rhonda
Parent
End-of-Life Care Resources
Individualized medical care
Delicious home-cooked meals
Care and attention from staff
Opportunity for parents to recharge
Bereavement Care
Types of support
In-person
Phone
Workshops
Online
Our Programs
Pediatric Palliative Aquatics
Being in the warm water helps to soothe an irritable nervous system, facilitate deep relaxation, and promote maximum movement and a feeling of well-being.
In our program, special lighting, sound, gentle touch and deep silence are incorporated into sessions to maximize a child’s experience. Benefits include better respiratory efficiency, deeper sleep, increased mobility, and an overall sense of enhanced quality of life (Adapted from Beneath the Surface: Experiences in Palliative Aquatics, by Sheila Pyatt, BSN, Pediatric Palliative Aquatics Specialist).
Child Life
We provide a range of fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate activities including play, art, music, movement and drama.
Our program is designed for therapeutic and recreational purposes for patients and their siblings. We love to celebrate life and enjoy planning birthday and holiday parties with our families. We also have animal-assisted therapy-certified therapy dogs, miniature horses, and the Oakland Zoo Mobile. Special activities include our Prom, Family Picnic, Pumpkin Day and Remembrance Day.
Psychosocial Support
We collaborate with our families to develop a care plan to meet their needs.
We provide supportive, ongoing counseling for individuals, couples and families as requested; link families to community services; coordinate care when returning home so necessary equipment or home care services are obtained; and help families coordinate funeral and memorial services, if needed.