Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care in NC
Cardinal Kids
Cardinal Kids is a community-based healthcare program for children who face serious illnesses. Our goal is to help children experience joy despite their medical challenges and to provide families with the holistic support they need to navigate their child’s healthcare journey.
Since founding Cardinal Kids in 2019, our interdisciplinary team has improved the lives of hundreds of children and caregivers across North Carolina. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help your family with pediatric palliative care, call 828.466.0466 or contact us online. No referral is necessary.
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Download our Cardinal Kids eBook to confidently navigate the emotional and practical aspects of hospice caregiving.
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What Is Pediatric Palliative Care?
Pediatric palliative medicine is a specialized medical approach focused on improving the quality of life for children with serious illnesses. This comprehensive care program aims to alleviate pain and distressing symptoms while addressing the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the child and their family.
As one of the only pediatric palliative medicine programs in North Carolina, Cardinal Kids provides an extra layer of support when you need it most. We work hand-in-hand with primary care providers, specialists, and other medical professionals, ensuring your child receives integrated and personalized care.
Conditions We Support
The Cardinal Kids team works with children facing a wide range of diagnoses, including but not limited to:
- Genetic disorders
- Severe metabolic disorders
- Advanced or progressive cancer or cancer with poor prognosis
- Complex and severe congenital or acquired heart disease
- Prematurity with residual secondary organ dysfunction or severe chronic pulmonary disability
- Trauma or sudden severe illness
- Severe immunodeficiencies
- Chronic or severe respiratory failure
- Muscular dystrophy, myopathies or neuropathies
- Severe short gut, TPN-dependence
- Severe brain malformation
- Multiple disabilities following brain or spinal cord infection, anoxic or hypoxic insult or injury
What Our Patients Say
Areas We Serve
We work with patients in a 12-county service area:
How We Can Help Your Family
Having a child with complex medical needs is never easy. As a parent, you must make tough decisions about your child’s care on a daily basis. Luckily, you don’t have to do this alone.
Our interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains is here to provide caring, compassionate support. Though we primarily offer care in the home, we also work with families in hospital settings and serve children of all ages, even those in utero.
When your child is first enrolled in the Cardinal Kids Program, we will collaborate with other members of their medical team to develop a comprehensive pediatric palliative care plan. This care plan may include a range of holistic services, including:
Pain and Symptom Management
Our pediatric team uses a variety of medications, therapies, and holistic interventions to alleviate any discomfort your child may experience because of their condition.
Emotional and Psychosocial Support
Having a child with serious medical conditions can be emotionally taxing for every member of the family. That’s why our social workers are available to offer counseling to patients in our care, as well as parents, siblings, and other family members.
Spiritual Care
Upon admission to the Cardinal Kids Program, we conduct an assessment to better understand your family’s spiritual needs. Our chaplain then collaborates with other team members to support these needs.
Respite Care
We provide up to five days of respite care either in our hospice houses or at an approved facility. This allows you to prioritize your own well-being while knowing your child is in the hands of skilled and compassionate professionals.
Benefits of Pediatric Palliative Medicine
Pediatric palliative medicine offers invaluable support to children with serious illnesses and their families. Key benefits of this care include:
Improved Pain Levels
100% of children enrolled in the Cardinal Kids Program experience an improvement in their pain levels. With less discomfort, they can laugh, play, and just be a kid again.
Reduced Hospitalization Rates
Our nurses are available 24/7 to provide medical support and guidance. By managing symptoms and addressing medical needs promptly, our team helps families avoid unnecessary hospital stays. In 2021, the Cardinal Kids Program reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations among patients by 68%.
Enhanced Care Coordination
Care coordination improves patient outcomes. With this in mind, our team fosters communication between primary care providers, specialists and other medical professionals, ensuring that all aspects of your child's care are addressed comprehensively.
More Meaningful Memories
By managing your child’s symptoms and alleviating the stressors you may experience as a caregiver, the Cardinal Kids Program allows your family to spend more meaningful time together. That’s one reason why 100% of the families we work with would recommend the program to others.
Next Steps: Pediatric Hospice Care Services
If your child’s condition worsens, we may suggest pediatric hospice care as the next step. This program provides intensive support tailored to your child’s needs. Our nursing team will visit your home regularly, and our social worker and chaplain will be in frequent contact to support your family’s emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
It’s important to understand that children in our hospice care program can still receive aggressive, curative, and experimental treatments for their illness. We never “give up” on them; instead, we focus on providing compassionate care that prioritizes their comfort and overall well-being.
Paying for Pediatric Palliative Medicine
Most services provided through the Cardinal Kids Program are covered by Medicaid and commercial insurance carriers. We bill the insurance provider on your behalf and are very transparent about what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket.
We believe every child should receive the care they deserve—regardless of insurance coverage. That’s why we offer a flexible billing policy based on need and never turn a family away because of their ability to pay.
If you have any questions about paying for our services, call 828.466.0466 or contact us online. A kind, compassionate team member is always here to help.
Why Choose Cardinal Kids
North Carolina families trust us to provide exceptional care during challenging times because of our:
Clinical Expertise
Our interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains boast centuries of collective clinical experience. These professionals have graduated from some of the region’s top-ranking universities and are backed by state accrediting agencies.
Gold Seal of Approval
After a meticulous series of evaluations and reviews, The Joint Commission awarded Carolina Caring the Gold Seal of Approval for healthcare quality and safety in the field of home care. This honor demonstrates our commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Community Presence
We have nurtured long-standing relationships with the medical systems in our 12-county service area. These relationships allow us to provide our patients with comprehensive, integrated care.
Proven Success
100% of Cardinal Kids families are “extremely satisfied” with the program and would recommend it to other parents.
Financial Flexibility
We never deny a family access to care because of finances or insurance coverage. Instead, we will work with you to develop a plan that suits your family’s budget.
Receive the Help Your Family Needs Today
If you’re caring for a child with a serious illness and need support, Cardinal Kids is here to help. Our three-step enrollment process is quick and easy, and no referral is necessary.
Schedule a Consultation
First, call 828.466.0466 or contact us online. One of our kind staff members will schedule a one-on-one meeting with a member of our medical team.
Develop a Care Plan
During your consultation, we will ask you some questions to learn more about you and your child. From there, we will work with other members of your child’s medical team to develop a comprehensive care plan.
Fill Each Day With Purpose
With supports in place, you can make more meaningful memories with your child. Whether it’s a day at the park or a quiet afternoon watching movies, the Cardinal Kids Program gives you and your family the space to fill each day with purpose.
How You Can Support Cardinal Kids
Support Cardinal Kids today and help us continue providing compassionate pediatric palliative medicine and hospice care to children facing serious illnesses in North Carolina. Your donation ensures that families receive vital support, including pain management, counseling, respite care, and access to hospice financial programs. Together, we can provide comfort and dignity during challenging times.
You can also support the Cardinal Kids Program as a hospice volunteer or donating items for children in need. Items can be brought to Carolina Caring’s Main Campus (3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC) between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday—Friday.
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Cardinal Kids FAQs
Can my child receive curative treatments while in hospice care?
Yes, children in hospice care can continue to receive aggressive, curative, and experimental treatments.
What areas of North Carolina do you serve?
Do I need a referral?
No, you don’t need a referral. You can simply call 828.466.0466 to speak with a clinician. We will work together to determine if Cardinal Kids is right for your child.
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