Pediatric Care

Supporting Children and Their Families Through Serious Illness

When a child is facing a serious medical condition, families need more than medical care alone. They need guidance, emotional support, and someone to help them navigate a difficult and often overwhelming journey. With Pediatric Care families can continue to pursue curative care with their child’s medical providers, while accessing additional layers of support and resources for their whole family.

 

Our Pediatric Care program provides compassionate, family-centered support for children living with serious illness and for the parents, siblings, and loved ones who care for them. We believe support should begin early and continue throughout the journey, helping families feel seen, supported, and connected every step of the way.

 

Hospice of the Piedmont Pediatric Care logo

 

Pediatric Care is made possible thanks to generous community philanthropy. To learn more about donating, visit our giving page.

Child sitting upright in a hospital bed for pediatric care holding a stuffed animal, with a medical monitor visible in the background.

Our Pediatric Care Approach

Every child’s experience is unique. Our Pediatric Care team recognizes the emotional, developmental, cultural, and practical needs of each family while working alongside the healthcare professionals already involved in a child’s care.

Our care is built around three key principles:

 

  • Family-Centered Support

    We partner with parents and caregivers to understand their goals, values, strengths, and concerns. We also provide support for siblings and other important family members who may be affected by a child’s illness.

    Services May Include:
    • Individual counseling
    • Family counseling
    • Parent and caregiver support
    • Sibling support and education
    • Family events and support groups

  • Developmentally Appropriate Care

    Children understand illness and process emotions differently depending on their age and developmental stage. Our team tailors support to help children and siblings understand, express, and cope with their experiences in ways that make sense for them.

    Services May Include:
    • Play-based interventions
    • School consultation and support
    • Age-appropriate education
    • Therapeutic activities for children and teens

  • Grief Support Throughout the Journey

    Grief can begin long before a loss occurs. We provide emotional support throughout the course of treatment, helping children and families process difficult emotions, navigate uncertainty, and find meaningful ways to connect and heal.

    Services May Include:
    • Anticipatory grief support
    • Legacy and memory-making activities
    • Ongoing grief counseling
    • Memorial and remembrance opportunities

Connected Care and Planning

Families often move between hospitals, clinics, home, school, and community resources. Coordinating care and finding support can be challenging.

Our Pediatric Care team works alongside healthcare providers, schools, and community partners to help ensure families receive the support they need wherever they are receiving care. We also provide compassionate guidance when families are facing complex medical decisions, helping them explore their goals, hopes, values, and concerns while navigating treatment options.

Who Can Benefit from Pediatric Care?

Pediatric Care may be appropriate for families when:

• A child has been diagnosed with a serious or complex medical condition.
• Parents need emotional support while caring for a sick child.
• Siblings are struggling to understand or cope with illness.
• Families need help navigating medical decisions and care planning.
• Children, teens, or family members would benefit from counseling and therapeutic support.
• A family is experiencing anticipatory grief or coping with ongoing loss and uncertainty.