Cerritos Palliative

It can be difficult to determine when palliative care should begin. Generally, palliative care should be started as soon as a serious illness is diagnosed. The earlier palliative care begins, the more likely it is that the patient and their family will receive the help they need to manage their symptoms and cope with the diagnosis. Palliative may continue throughout the course of a patient’s illness, from the time they are diagnosed to end-of-life care. It may overlap with other types of medical treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer patients.

The palliative care team will work closely with the patient’s health care team to ensure that the palliative care plan is coordinated with other forms of treatment. It can also be beneficial to start palliative care even if a cure is still possible, as this helps to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life while other treatments are ongoing. Palliative care should not be considered an alternative to other treatments but rather as an additional layer of support and comfort. It is important to remember that palliative care can be beneficial at any stage of a serious illness and should not be delayed until the end of life.

While palliative care may bring comfort and relief to patients and their families, it does not replace other forms of medical treatment. It is designed to complement existing treatments and provide additional support for patients and their families during difficult times.

Community-Based Pediatric Palliative Care

What Is Pediatric Palliative Care?

Pediatric palliative care is specialized medical care for children living with serious or life-limiting illnesses. It is an extra layer of support focused on improving the quality of life for the child, as well as their family, by addressing physical symptoms, providing emotional, social and spiritual support and addressing practical needs. This type of care can be provided alongside disease-directed treatments aimed at curing or managing a child’s condition and is tailored to meet the needs and goals of the individual family.

Our pediatric palliative care program includes home-based support delivered by in-person, virtual and telephonic visits aimed at:

• Managing pain and distressing symptoms
• Offering support around complex medical decision-making
• Supporting emotional health and spiritual well-being
• Facilitating care coordination and partnership with pediatric specialists
• Building connections between families and community resources

This care is not exclusive to end-of-life situations; it is available to children at any stage of their illness, from diagnosis onward.

When is it Time for Pediatric Palliative Care?

It can be difficult to determine when palliative care should begin. The earlier palliative care begins, the more likely it is that the patient and their family will receive the help they need to manage symptoms and cope with the diagnosis. Palliative care can continue throughout the course of a patient’s illness, from the time they are diagnosed to end-of-life care. It may overlap with other types of medical treatment.

The palliative care team will work closely with the patient’s health care team to ensure that the palliative care plan is coordinated with other forms of treatment. It can also be beneficial to start palliative care even if a cure is still possible, as this helps to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life while other treatments are ongoing. Palliative care should not be considered an alternative to other treatments but rather as an additional layer of support and comfort. It is important to remember that palliative care can be beneficial at any stage of a serious illness.

It is important to note that while palliative care may bring comfort and relief to patients and their families, it does not replace other forms of medical treatment. It is designed to complement existing treatments and provide additional support for patients and their families during difficult times.

Who We Are

We are a team of specialized pediatric healthcare clinicians including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and chaplains, all dedicated to providing holistic, family-centered care for children with serious illnesses and their families.

Our Mission

To deliver personalized care with kindness, respect and understanding, while easing the physical, emotional and spiritual burdens of children and families navigating serious illness.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Palliative Medical Support: Symptom management tailored to the needs of your child.
• Emotional and Psychological Support: Counselling and therapeutic support for children, siblings and caregivers.
• Home-Based, Virtual and Telephonic Visits: Care brought into the comfort of your child’s home.
• Care Coordination Support: Care coordination and partnership in navigating healthcare systems.
• Spiritual Guidance: Supporting families in exploring hope, meaning and peace.
• Community Resources: Connecting families with resources.

Why Choose Us?

1. Family-Centered Approach: We prioritize the needs, values and goals of your family.
2. Experienced Team: Our specialists understand the complex needs of pediatric palliative care.
3. Empathy First: Compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do.
4. Community: A supportive team you can rely on.
5. 24/7 Availability: We’re here when you need us, every step of the way.