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Experiences of parents, for parents.

Experiences of other parents can offer you comfort, or provide some recognition. Read the experiences of other parents who have (had) dealings with child palliative care below.

Thanks to all the parents who wanted to share their story to support other parents. Parents who may also want to share their story can contact info@kinderpalliatief.nl


Experiences of parents, for parents.

What is involved in good palliative care? Parents tell.

What is good pediatric palliative care? In seven themes, parents talk about their needs and experiences and you can read how care is designed based on them. Just like experienced parent Sarike de Zoeten, they draw attention to their children who are (or have been) in palliative care for life. They share their stories and give tips and suggestions on how to organize care for their children and families. The Dutch Centre of Expertise in Children's Palliative Care is committed to further improving children's palliative care as an area of expertise, based on these experiences of parents.

What is involved in good palliative care? Parents tell.

THEME 1: COMMUNICATION WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:

'How are you?' Mother Marcia, together with other parents, says that this question can help you as a parent to feel less lonely when it comes to medical care for your child. Being seen and heard by healthcare professionals is one of the wishes of families. Mother Anne adds: 'It helped us that the healthcare professionals we dealt with were really there, as themselves. Having a permanent doctor helped enormously, so that we could open up and the doctor really saw our child.'

Tip: Do you want to know how you can shape this? Then read our conversation guide.

Would you like to see more wishes and experiences of parents and siblings about this theme? Then watch the video in which Marcia, Dessie, Michael and Laura call for equality and space to tell the story. And the video in which Michael, Anne, Jacoline and Marcia talk about professionals' fear of discussing topics and sometimes not listening to parents.


THEME 2: HELP FROM THE CHILDREN COMFORT TEAM

'Confidence in the Children's Comfort Team grew when they showed that they were the link between me and the hospital.' Mother Jacoline speaks about the added value of supporting a Children's Comfort Team in the care process of her son Dave. Being able to share concerns 24/7 and be well represented in the hospital is one of the wishes of families. 'I found that very difficult in the beginning. We were used to doing everything ourselves. But they kept insisting. It now gives me such peace that they are also fighting for my child. I am taken seriously and I can share all my doubts and concerns with them.

Tip: Do you want to know what a Children's Comfort Team can do for you and your family? Then take a look at our web page .

Would you like to see more wishes and experiences of parents and siblings about this theme? Then watch the video in which Jacoline talks about the added value of supporting a Children's Comfort Team in a care process.


THEME 3: CHALLENGES IN A CARE-INTENSIVE FAMILY

'The biggest challenge is arranging all care appointments. Sometimes we have to make choices.' Mother Marcia, together with other parents, explains how difficult it is to manage care in combination with work. Being relieved so that there is also time for fun outings with the family and time for yourself as a parent is one of the wishes of families. Mother Dessie adds that she has chosen to apply for a Personal Budget (PGB) to relieve the family, so that there is also time for the other children. 'You have to write it yourself and that's quite a job. Not every parent can do that easily.'

Tip: Looking for support for the family? Then take a look at what the Integrated Child Care Network can do.

Would you like to see more wishes and experiences of parents and siblings about this theme? Then watch the video in which Marcia and Dessie explain the challenges that all the regulations entail.

THEME 4: CROSS-DOMAIN ACTING

'When we knew that Sam was getting older, we wondered: what does our child have and what do we as a family need to be able to continue with this condition?' Mother Dessie shares with other parents that she did not really receive an answer to those questions from the hospital. A permanent team that looks at the child integrally and has the whole picture in view is one of the wishes of families. Mother Jacoline adds that people often only look at the blood values and whether her children are standing firmly on their legs. 'But for example, they don't look at the social and emotional aspects and what we also encounter as a family.'

Tip: Do you want to know how you can shape this? Read more about cross-domain indexing here .

Would you like to see more wishes and experiences of parents and siblings about this theme? Then watch the video in which Dessie, Marcia, Jacoline and Laura call on professionals to look broader than just the medical field, to form a trusted permanent team and to think/act interdisciplinary and across domains. With 1 file that everyone has access to.


THEME 5: MAKING CHOICES AND DIRECTION

'We could decide for ourselves when the time came.' Father Michael looks back on the choices made together with the professionals about when palliative terminal care would be applied. Making difficult choices and decisions in good consultation is one of the wishes of families. 'The choices we made were made in good consultation.'

Tip: Do you want to know how you can shape this? Read more about Impact and the Advance Care Planning conversation here to discuss care and treatment together.
Would you like to see more wishes and experiences on this theme? Then watch the entire video in which Michael talks about the choice of how to take control in consultation with professionals.


THEME 6: SUPPORT FROM SUBJECT CONTACT

'It's nice to talk to parents who are going through the same thing, because you understand each other much faster and can exchange practical tips.' Mother Dessie explains what added value contact with other families in a similar situation has for her. Understanding, information, help and support is one of the wishes of families. 'Our blog also helped with this. It's a nice outlet to put our thoughts on paper. This also brought us into contact with other parents, including internationally. That brought new information and perspectives.'

Tip: Also looking for families who are experiencing the same thing? View the overview of patient associations for peer contact here .

Would you like to see more wishes and experiences on this theme? Then watch the entire video in which Dessie explains the added value that contact with other families in a similar situation has for her.


THEME 7: DEALING WITH (LIVING) LOSS

'We immediately received grief counseling and that was incredibly helpful in coming to terms with things.' Mother Anne, together with other parents, explains how her family experienced support in (living) loss at various points in the care process. Space for things you don't have room for, such as making beautiful memories, is one of the wishes of these families. 'We needed the time, pinpricks and conversations to get used to the idea of having to say goodbye to our son.'

Tip: Are you looking for support with life questions, grief and loss? Read about the one available to families here .

Would you like to see more wishes and experiences on this theme? Then watch the entire video in which Anne, Dessie and Marcia explain how their family experienced support during living/permanent loss at various points in the care process.

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