Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care

Surrounding Families with Care and Support

Childhood is precious, no matter how long it may be. At Care Dimensions, we cherish our youngest patients – infants, children and adolescents living with life-threatening illnesses – and surround them with expert medical care and nurturing support.

Our specialized pediatric team provides family-centered services at home and in the community.  We offer 24/7 support so that children and caregivers can focus on what’s most important – living every day to the fullest and enjoying their time together.

Multidimensional Care

We have an open access philosophy that allows pediatric patients to continue receiving curative treatments while enrolled in hospice care, with an additional focus on relieving symptoms and managing pain. Families also can continue to receive block nursing and home health assistance from other providers.

Each child receives an individualized care plan reflecting the medical, nursing, psychosocial and spiritual needs of the patient and family. Our services include:

• Physician and nurse visits at home or in the hospital
• 24/7 support for questions and nursing visits
• Home delivery of medications and equipment
• Coordination with the child’s physician and other health care providers
• Kaplan Family Hospice House or the Care Dimensions Hospice House for respite care or acute symptom management. Both houses have specialized pediatric suites available. Family members can stay overnight and visitors are welcome any time
• Guidance in navigating community resources
• Child life specialist to help with expressing emotions
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Caregiver education
• Complementary and expressive therapies for comfort and relaxation
• Grief support

Child Life Specialist

Our certified child life specialist provides support to our pediatric patients receiving hospice and palliative care and their siblings. Using age-appropriate activities including books, games, and arts and crafts, the child life specialist helps children talk about their feelings and fears in a safe environment and gives them strategies for coping with their grief and emotions.

 

Peri-Natal Program

For parents who will give birth to an infant with a life-limiting condition, our peri-natal program offers a bridge from pregnancy to parenthood to bereavement. We partner with the family and their medical team, and develop a care plan that addresses the family’s goals during pregnancy and delivery and following birth. Our pediatric team can transition care to the home, or plan arrangements and memorial services. Grief support is provided to parents and siblings.

Testimonial

“Don't be afraid of hospice... take advantage of it as soon as you can, so you can focus on what's most important—your family.”

 

–Kammie Fessenden, mother of pediatric hospice patient

Patient and Family Resources

Download our Pediatric
Hospice 
brochure.

Download

Pediatric Palliative Care Program

Pediatric palliative care is a comprehensive approach to care, embracing physical, emotional, social and spiritual elements, for children who face a progressive, life-limiting condition and their families. Our PediPals program is designed to complement care you already receive. You don’t have to give up services from other providers to utilize our services. We work in collaboration with your physician and other providers to enhance quality of life and support for you, your child and family. Our program is part of the Massachusetts Pediatric Palliative Care Network (PPCN) and services are provided at no cost to children 18 years old and younger who have a life-limiting illness, which may include cystic fibrosis, advanced or progressive cancer, severe cerebral palsy, renal failure, severe heart disease, congenital or genetic condition, progressive neurological disorders, or who have experienced traumatic injury. For more information about the PediPals program, please call 978-223-9757.

Our Pediatric Team

Care Dimensions helps patients and caregivers communicate needs, navigate the healthcare system and plan for the future. Our interdisciplinary team brings together the skills and experience of:

• Board-certified pediatric palliative care physician who serve as medical director
• Pediatric nurse practitioner who coordinates care with the child's primary pediatrician and specialists, and provides clinical care and symptom management
• Specially trained pediatric nurse case manager who manages symptoms and pain
• Hospice aide who assists with daily care
• Certified child life specialist who helps the child and siblings express emotions through activities
• Complementary or expressive therapist who engages the child in art and music
• Social worker who helps patients and families cope with emotional and practical issues
• Chaplain who offers non-denominational spiritual support
• Grief counselor who helps families prepare for death and cope with grief
• Trained volunteer who provides companionship and caregiver relief