Pediatric Care
At Hoffmann Hospice, we believe you are your child’s best caregiver. But in the case of a serious illness, you need help. Our Starlight Pediatric Program – a team of professionals and volunteers with experience in pediatrics and a variety of other specialties – was developed to give you that help. Our Pediatric Medical Director and team, with the input from the patient, family and your child’s specialist will develop a personalized plan of care and support that is continually reviewed and adapted to meet your child’s changing needs. The Starlight Pediatric Program puts your child and family at the center of this team.
Our Services
- Pain and Symptom Control
- Specialized Medical equipment and medications
- Care for Patients and their Families
- 24-hour Access to on-call Hospice Nurses
- Physician Services
- Sibling support through the Buddy Brigade
- Social Services
- Spiritual Care
- Bereavement Services
Pediatric Team Members
- Physicians
- Chaplains
- Registered Nurse
- Social Workers
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Trained Volunteers
- Spiritual Counselors
- Certified Hospice Aides
What To Expect
Caring for a child with a serious illness may seem like more than any family could handle. With hospice, you are not alone. The interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, clergy and volunteers at Hoffmann Hospice are here to provide the coordinated care and support you need. Our nurses receive comprehensive training from the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) in the areas of pediatric assessment, pain treatment for children, medications, grieving and more. Our goal is to prepare you to assume the role of primary caregiver and to include your family and your child in all decisions regarding care.
There's No Place Like Home
When facing the serious illness of a child, parents will go to any length in an effort to help their child. But even then, sometimes the miracles of modern medicine are not enough.When that time comes, there truly is no place like home. Hoffmann Hospice understands how difficult it is for parents to make the hospice decision for their child. Many parents feel as though they are somehow “giving up” by choosing hospice care, but that isn’t true at all. Hospice is merely a shifting of focus – to helping your child live as full and pain free a life as possible.
We understand that this is a difficult decision, but Hoffmann Hospice has been helping families care for their children since 1995. We are here, and ready to help your family.
Pediatric FAQ's
The Starlight Pediatric Program is for children and adolescents from birth to 20 years of age who have a life-limiting medical condition or llness. Many of our pediatric patients are not expected to reach adulthood and may be in the program for many years. In many cases, families may continue to seek curative treatment (Concurrent Care) or may decide to solely begin comfort and symptom management. The Starlight Pediatric Program cares for children whose illnesses include, but are not limited to:
- Heart Diseases
- Lung Diseases
- Neurological Disorders
- Genetic and Metabolic Diseases
- Neuromuscular Disease
- Cancers and Tumors
Hoffmann Hospice is the only local non-profit hospice choice in Kern County that cares for pediatric patients. It is operated directly by founders Tom and Beth Hoffmann who work daily with the staff at all branches to develop and improve the highest quality patient care and community resources. Our extensively trained pediatrics team is led by Pediatric Medical Director Dr. David Sine to ensure the best possible care for the children and adolescents in our program.
It is never too soon to learn about the hospice care options available for your child and family. When your child has a life-limiting illness and your goal is to provide comfort, symptom management and enhanced quality of life, then it may be the right time to call Hoffmann Hospice. Anyone can refer a child and their family to Hoffmann Hospice, including family members, friends or physicians. Hoffmann Hospice works closely with specialists, primary care physicians and children’s hospitals to ensure every child and their family receives the best possible care.
In addition to your personal nurse caring for your child on a weekly basis, Hoffmann Hospice’s pediatric nurses are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The services provided are located on the inside of this brochure and also include:
- Touch Therapy (massage), Pet Therapy, Music and Art
- Celebrations, including birthdays and special patient wishes
- Education and resources to help care for a child at home
- Buddy Brigade support services for siblings in the home
Hospice care is covered by most insurance plans including private insurance and Medi-Cal. As a non-profit hospice, Hoffmann Hospice will accept eligible patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Yes. Your child may continue to see their primary physician or they may transition completely to our care. In most cases parents have been comfortable transitioning completely to our care.