Hospice of Wake CountyTransitions Kids
At Transitions LifeCare, we provide compassionate, family-centered care for children facing serious illness.
Children from prenatal through age 21 with serious illness, and their families · Nurse available 24/7 by phone or video
From transitionslifecare.org/care-services/transitions-kids ↗About this program
Our team supports both the child and their loved ones with comfort, guidance, and expertise every step of the way.
Our pediatric hospice and palliative care services are designed for children at any stage of serious illness — not only at end of life. Many families partner with us for extended periods of time as their child's needs evolve. We'll help you understand your options and create a care plan centered on your child and your family.
Palliative care is a family-centered model that focuses on expert evaluation and management of pain and other symptoms, while also providing support for caregivers and siblings, guidance through anticipatory grief, and coordinated care planning. Early integration of palliative care enhances physical, psychosocial, and spiritual support for children with serious illness and their communities. As a consultative service, we collaborate with your primary medical team to promote quality of life.
Hospice care is an insurance benefit for patients with a prognosis of six months or less. The Medicaid Concurrent Care for Children Requirement, a provision of the Affordable Care Act, allows children under 21 to receive both curative treatments and hospice care at the same time. This holistic approach ensures that children receive comprehensive care, encompassing both their medical needs and comfort care.
Transitions Kids families have access to pediatric support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have questions about symptoms, medications, changes in your child's condition, or what to do next, a nurse is available by phone or video to provide guidance, reassurance, and timely support when your family needs it most.
Questions
Who pays for the services you provide?
Services provided through hospice are covered by insurance. Palliative care physician visits can also be billed through insurance, like other specialists. Generous donations allow us to continue providing care to patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay.
Will admission to Transitions Kids services impact our private duty nursing care?
No! In most cases, both services can be provided at the same time. Many of our patients have private duty nurses, and we work collaboratively with their companies to provide care.
When do Transitions Kids services end?
Patients are discharged when their family decides services are no longer needed or if they move out of North Carolina. Bereavement services are provided as long as needed after a child's death.
Who does Transitions Kids' serve?
We offer a variety of direct care and support services for patients perinatal to 21 years of age in Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Wake and Wilson counties. While we are unable to do home visits outside of this service area, we may be able to provide palliative care support via telehealth.
Where does Transitions Kids provide care?
Most patients receive support in their home. When a patient is hospitalized, the Kids Team continues to provide support for the patient and family but is not involved in direct medical care. For families where home or hospital is not the best option, patients receiving hospice care may transfer to our inpatient Hospice Home for respite care or symptom management.
Details
- Who
- Children from prenatal through age 21 with serious illness, and their families
- When
- Nurse available 24/7 by phone or video
- Where
- Most children receive care at home; the team also supports families when a child is hospitalized. Transitions LifeCare's Hospice Home may also be an option for
- Ages
- Prenatal through age 21