Pediatric Hospice Care

Methodist Pediatric Hospice, affiliated with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital

Comfort. Dignity. Quality.

Together with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospice has been providing care for terminally ill children for over 20 years. We provide compassionate care to any child who has a life-threatening illness.  Children can be cared for in their home as well as in the Methodist Hospice Residence. Our care focuses on maintaining the child’s quality of life by keeping them as pain-free and comfortable as possible, while encouraging families to live every moment.

Our program may be appropriate when:

• a child’s life expectancy is months rather than years
• curative treatment methods are no longer effective
• a decline in condition is becoming evident
• emergency room or hospital visits become more frequent
• there is a desire to focus on the comfort and quality of life for the child
• the family desires palliative care in the home setting

A team approach to care

Methodist Hospice provides a team approach to patient care. Individualized care plans are developed to meet the needs of the child and focus on quality of life. In addition to patient care, we provide emotional and spiritual support to children and their families. Grief counseling and bereavement support services are also available for the family before and after the death of the child.

Our specially trained pediatric hospice team focuses on the unique needs of our pediatric patients. This team includes:

• A Medical Director available to provide management of the child’s symptoms and consultations, as requested by the attending physician.
• Registered nurses to coordinate the plan of care under the direction of the child’s physician
• Social Workers to provide counseling and bereavement support
• Chaplains to provide spiritual counseling
• Hospice Aides to provide personal care to the patient
• Hospice Volunteers to provide supportive services

Parent’s Quote

“I don’t know what I would have done without hospice. I was stressed and confused when the doctor told me about Timmy’s problems. The nurse, chaplain, and social worker from hospice have been very supportive. They have made everything easier for me to handle.”

Rayvrien Dawson
Mother of Timmy Dawson, diagnosed with hydranencephaly