StarPals... Offering Pediatric Hope and Comfort

Each day is a new day for children, and your StarPals Team introduces pediatric palliative experts into your child’s treatment and comfort plan.  Throughout the stages of their illness, children are encouraged to live out loud: to express themselves and have a voice.  Your StarPals Team works with your child and your family to align treatment with your goals, values, and preferences.  

Services

At StarPals, we know children and young adults of all ages have very special needs. The care of a young patient is not the same as caring for a patient that has reached adulthood.

With that in mind, our pediatric palliative experts are available to help in the following ways and many more:

  • Complete pediatric care coordination.
  • Pain, comfort and intensive symptom management by specialty trained staff who know how to care for even the smallest of patient.
  • Expressive therapies including art, massage, play, and music therapy.
  • After-hours support and visits as needed.
  • Family education and support during the complete care continuum.
  • Respite care to help sustain the health and well-being of the family and caregivers.
  • Community resource referrals to ensure access to all services available.
Pediatric Care

Eligibility

The StarPals Team of pediatric palliative experts is available for babies through young adults who are experiencing serious and complex medical conditions.  Children of all ages are eligible regardless of whether they are continuing to receive curative treatments.

All forms of insurance offer pediatric care and our admissions specialists will help confirm the benefits available for each patient and family. MediCal, California Children's Services and most private insurance companies provide pediatric palliative coverage.

We take care of the hard stuff so that you don't have to...

Hospice Care vs Palliative Care

With changes that came with the Affordable Care Act of 2010, parents of a pediatric patient no longer have to choose between end of life care exclusively (hospice) and incorporating curative care (palliative care) for their sick children.  Therefore, the difference between hospice care and palliative care becomes less important for pediatric patients and families.

In both circumstances, families recognize they need support to help navigate the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes that occur with the progression of their child’s life-altering medical condition. StarPals is a part of this journey for each child and their family.

Plan of Care

As members of CareCHOICES’ StarPals program, you and your child will work with your StarPals Team to create an individualized plan of care that will enhance the quality of life for your child and your family.  Your plan will support your child’s condition, your goals and values, and your child’s unique personality.

Together, we hold onto hope and celebrate each day.

Pediatric Care

Interdisciplinary Team

Your StarPals Team is comprised of palliative experts devoted to the care of pediatric patients and their families. They have the shared goal of enhancing the quality of your child’s life, so he or she can live each moment to the fullest.

Your team may include a StarPals physician, nurse, and social worker, as well as a chaplain and certified home health aide, if appropriate for your care desires and your child’s special circumstances.  Other StarPals Team members include a child life specialist that focuses on child development, music therapists, art therapists, and marriage and family counselors.

Pediatric Care