Hospice Care for Children

Children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses--and their families--require a unique kind of care to meet a wide variety of needs. This book provides an authoritative source for the many people involved in caring for dying children. It draws together contributions from leading authorities in a comprehensive, fully up-to-date resource, with an emphasis on practical topics that can be put to immediate use. The book covers the entire range of issues related to the hospice environment: organizational structure, clinical issues, the complementary roles of medical professionals and volunteers, the particular circumstances of neonatal and AIDS-related deaths, pain and symptom control, and bereavement support. It explains the developmental stages of children's understanding of death and offers useful advice about school programs and the helpful role of children's literature. Special consideration is given to the need to provide support to hospice staff as well as to grieving parents and surviving siblings. The book is intended for all those who participate in the hospice-care process: physicians, nurses, social workers, teachers, clergy, family therapists, parents, and community service volunteers.