In this week’s episode, Cara is joined by Pamela Roman, MSN-Ed, BSN, RN to explore the urgent need for pediatric hospice and respite care options beyond hospital walls. Together, they shine a light on how limited choices force many families into stressful acute care settings, and why specialized facilities can make a world of difference. The conversation dives into the unique communication skills nurses develop when working with children, and how these skills ripple out to improve care for everyone. Listeners will hear about the challenges of designing care homes that truly fit each community, as well as the uphill battle for funding and policy support. The episode also highlights why in-home respite often falls short, and how dedicated centers staffed by trusted professionals can offer families the rest and support they desperately need.
With over 35 years of nursing experience, Pamela has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, skilled care for both adults and children across a wide range of settings—from acute care to end-of-life support. Her deep commitment to patient well-being and her broad clinical expertise have made her a trusted caregiver and advocate throughout every stage of life.
Key Takeaways
- 00:06:39 - There is a significant lack of pediatric hospice and respite care options, especially outside of hospital settings, leading many children to spend their final days in acute care environments that are not ideal for families or patients.
- 00:11:01 - Working with pediatric patients enhances nurses’ communication skills, as it requires adapting approaches to different developmental stages, which can also improve care for adult patients.
- 00:15:17 - Designing pediatric respite and palliative care homes must be tailored to the specific needs of each community, considering factors like bed count, acuity levels, and staffing requirements to best serve local families.
- 00:21:28 - The biggest challenge to establishing pediatric respite and palliative care homes is funding and reimbursement, as current policies and licensure categories do not adequately support these facilities, forcing many to rely on donations and nonprofit fundraising.
- 00:27:03 - In-home respite services are often insufficient for families, as parents struggle to truly rest while their child is present; dedicated facilities with trusted, skilled staff would allow caregivers meaningful breaks and better support family well-being.
- 00:34:04 - Listeners are encouraged to get involved by learning more through resources like the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes and advocating for policy changes to improve funding and access to these essential services for all families, not just those with financial means.
