BY COURAGEOUS PARENTS NETWORK

1. The main goal of pediatric palliative care (PPC) is to address symptoms of physical and/or psychosocial suffering, and to support the needs of the whole family.
2. PPC is not related to end of life.
3. Pediatric palliative care focuses on making each day as good as it can be and the quality of life.
4. It can be offered at the same time as treatment of an illness, as early as a diagnosis.
5. A PPC team may follow your child’s care across different settings (clinic or hospital, home).
6. Palliative care clinicians can provide consistency across those settings over months or even years.
7. If your child’s medical team does not refer you for PPC or you are told your child doesn’t need palliative care, you always have the option to ask for it and make a decision for yourself.

Download a printable version of this list. Find all of our Top Lists. For the full guide in both English and Spanish, visit CPN’s Guide page on Introduction to Pediatric Palliative Care.