The Difference Between Hospice Care & Palliative Care

What Is Pediatric Hospice Care?

Although pediatric hospice and pediatric palliative care have similarities, they each provide specialized services that can benefit a range of people. Hospice care is typically for children who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses that have a short expectancy of life. Hospice care is focused on the special needs of people who are at their later stages in their prognosis with a shorter life expectancy. The focus of hospice care is to enhance the quality of life and support patients and their families that are coping with terminal illnesses. The services can include physical and emotional treatments to ease the lives of everyone involved.

What Is Pediatric Palliative Care?

Similar to hospice care, pediatric palliative care programs work to ease the lives of those dealing with life-altering diagnoses. Palliative care, however, can be administered throughout any stage of an illness — whether it be immediately after diagnosis, during treatment, or end-of-life. Each stage of a child’s journey can come with unique struggles, and pediatric palliative care aims to support patients and families who need support in the treatment process. 

What Services Are Best For You?

Despite the similarities across the two services, it’s important to consult professionals when making decisions regarding children’s hospice and palliative care services. Because they can have such a big impact on patients and their families, people should fully review what services would best benefit everyone involved. Though all conversations and decisions should be made with professionals, there are some general eligibility and informational guidelines to help determine which program may fit each scenario.

Pediatric Palliative Care Features:

• For people diagnosed with a life-altering condition
•  Available immediately after diagnosis
• Aims to support in medical decisions, treatment, and overall care of mental and physical health

Pediatric Hospice Care Features:

• For people diagnosed with a condition which doctors have determined their life expectancy of less than six months.
• Available only to those at end-of-life stages who are no longer prolonging their treatments
• Focuses on supporting medical decisions, and mental and physical care.

George Mark Children’s House Pediatric Hospice & Palliative Care

George Mark Children’s House focuses on improving the quality of life for children who are facing life-altering diagnoses. We offer both pediatric hospice and palliative care, along with many other specialized services for children and families going through these difficult journeys. 

For children and families who are looking for support with treatments, diagnoses, or any other obstacle in their journey, our palliative care programs are specially designed to support each circumstance. There are different struggles when children are affected by illness, so our programs cater to the specific needs of children. We provide innovative services such as aquatics for children and focus on serving the whole family as well.

For families looking for support with end-of-life hospice care, our counseling provides assistance to the entire family throughout a child’s illness and beyond. In addition to our medical care, we provide counseling, home visits, support groups, and participation in events held at George Mark for as long as a family desires, allowing every person to grieve and heal in their own way, and at their own pace.

George Mark Children’s House professionals are available to communicate and determine the best programs and services for each family’s needs. View more resources about our services! For any questions regarding what services may be best for your situation, contact us online.