Palliative care for newborns, children, and youth is also called pediatric palliative care. It is a type of care for children who are living with serious, life-threatening illnesses and their families. Pediatric palliative care is appropriate at any stage of illness and can be provided together with disease-directed treatment. It also includes bereavement care for families after the loss of a child.
ASSIST (Aid for Symptoms and Serious Illness Support Team) is an interdisciplinary team offering support around new diagnoses of life-threatening conditions, difficult decision-making, and collaboration in comprehensive care planning. There are two core teams in Alberta, one based at the Stollery Children’s hospital in Edmonton that serves north of Red Deer, and one based out of the Rotary Flames House in Calgary that serves south of Red Deer. ASSIST supports patients and families in their own homes and hospital. They also provide remote support to teams across the province and territories.
Two teams provide pediatric palliative and end-of-life care in Alberta.
The focus is on quality-of-life care for ill children and their family members. The specialized pediatric palliative care team works closely with the child's usual health care team and the child and the families are seen in the setting of their choice: in hospital, in clinics, or in their homes.
Resources
A comprehensive palliative care service, including a community-based hospice, for children with life limiting illnesses and their families. Grief and bereavement support for parents and siblings is also provided.
Resources
To find out more about your care options and what types of palliative and end-of-life care services are in your area, visit Palliative and End-of-Life Care.
