Pediatric care
We recognize that a child's life-limiting illness affects the entire family on many levels. Our Pediatrics Team uses an interdisciplinary approach in which the child's family and physician play an integral part. The Hosparus team includes specialized pediatric nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, child and adolescent counselors and hospice volunteers.
We address a wide range of physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs through this most challenging time. We focus on what is most important to the individual child and family. The Hosparus team provides a vital link, helping the family maintain consistent and open communication with the child's physician, hospital, school, church and other care providers.
Helping children and families. Hosparus offers specialized services for children with life-limiting illnesses.
Kourageous Kids
If you are caring for a child with a life-limiting illness, you don't have to do it alone. Our Kourageous Kids team can partner with you to provide individualized care and support for each family member. We provide the education and guidance you need to feel confident caring for your child. For more than 30 years, we've helped children and their families cope. We can help you.
Any child with a life-limiting illness may be eligible for the Kourageous Kids program. The program accepts referrals 24 hours a day. Physicians may refer directly to us or parents can call us and we'll make arrangements with their child's physician. Kourageous Kids offers several options for patient and family care. We will help you determine the service that best meets your family's needs.
Depending on their individual needs, children can receive care at home or in the hospital. Services may include:
- Pain control.
- Control of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and restlessness.
- Medication management.
- Personal care such as bathing, hair care and skin care.
- Counseling and spiritual support for patients, siblings and families.
- On-call nurse, chaplain and social services available 24 hours.
- Referral to community agencies.
- Speech, physical, occupational and other therapies related to life-limiting diagnosis.
Fun, meaningful events
We frequently host or help with fun, meaningful events for our pediatric patients and their families. Based on individual desires and resources from the community, we've facilitated a teen support group, a group outing to "The Nutcracker," hayrides, a hot-air blimp ride, airplane rides, piano lessons, birthday celebrations, trips and countless other treats. We foster sensitive attention to the spirit and emotions through expressive therapies of art, music and play. Numerous community groups provide financial and hands-on support that bring joy to our children and families.
Contact us
We understand that it's difficult to make that first phone call to seek hospice care for a seriously ill child. Know that we can help you, your child and your entire family through this very difficult time. Often, we hear parents say, "If only we'd contacted Hosparus sooner." To gather information, ask questions, arrange for a home visit, contact our information and referral lines:
For Louisville and the rural communities (Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, & Trimble Counties): Call Hospice of Louisville at 456-6200 or toll-free (800) 264-0521.
For Central Kentucky: Call Hospice of Central Kentucky, (270) 737-6300, or toll-free (800) 686-9577.
For Southern Indiana: Call Hospice of Southern Indiana, (812) 945-4596, or toll-free (800) 895-5633.
We depend heavily on donations to ensure that every child has access to hospice care regardless of their families' ability to pay for care. We thank funders such as Kosair Charities, the WHAS Crusade for Children and many others for their tireless support for the children of Hosparus.
Related websites
National Organization of Rare Disorders
