What Is the Difference between Palliative Care in Los Angeles for Adults vs. Children?

Children battling disease have many different needs than adult patients since their physiology and anatomy are much different from that of a fully grown adult. They are growing and developing, even after an illness, and often suffer from complex conditions that haven’t been observed in adults. This is why specialized care, especially palliative care, must be catered to meet their needs, no matter if they are an infant, child, or adolescent.

Palliative care is beneficial for all people living with a serious illness, especially children, even if they are more physically resilient than adults.

Differences Between Adult Palliative Care vs. Pediatric Palliative Care

Counseling and Therapy

While adults need counseling to manage symptoms of anxiety, grief, and depression, children must also talk to a child behavioral specialist or therapist who understands their unique needs. As children in palliative care are also developing mentally and physically while going through the illness, they must be taught ways to cope with symptoms and develop a healthy attitude toward challenges.

Decision-Making

While an adult hospice patient is responsible for making decisions about their health and well-being, a child’s parents or family caregivers are often responsible for making decisions about their health. They must be kept in the loop regarding any symptoms the child may be experiencing and how parents can help them through the process.

Unique Challenges

Being seriously ill is not a typical or common condition for a child. This is why such circumstances present a unique challenge in caring for a child and providing help to their family.