Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Noah’s Children

• How is Noah’s Children different from other hospice and/or palliative care programs?
• Can Noah’s Children help parents whose unborn child has been diagnosed with a severe birth defect?
• Does choosing hospice or palliative care mean that the family has given up hope for their child?
• Our family does not have health insurance. Can Noah’s Children still help us?
• How can I enroll my child in Noah’s Children?
• Can Noah’s Children help our family after the death of our child?
• What life-threatening illnesses have Noah’s Children dealt with?
• How is Noah’s Children associated with Bon Secours Richmond Health System?

Q: How is Noah’s Children different from other hospice and/or palliative care programs?
A: In the traditional palliative care model, children are not referred to a palliative or hospice care program until the very end stage of the illness, whereupon the child usually dies within a matter of hours or days. Consequently, there is little time to prepare the patient or family for the emotional, spiritual and social aspects of the dying process or the death itself.

Noah’s Children’s approach provides care that can be concurrent with curative efforts or as the main focus, depending on the trajectory of the illness and the wishes of the patient and family. Through an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, social workers and spiritual care experts, Noah’s Children staff closely assess the multiple needs and desires of the child and family and then develop a comprehensive plan of care. The process is a collaborative effort between the hospice, hospitals, pediatricians, specialists, home health care program, schools, pharmacists, therapists, etc.

Noah’s Children addresses the “total pain” that results in suffering: physical pain and symptoms are aggressively treated, emotional and spiritual turmoil is addressed, and social and practical needs are met.

Q: Can Noah’s Children help parents whose unborn child has been diagnosed with a severe birth defect?
A: Yes, we provide services for parents who learn their unborn child may be born with a life-threatening condition

Q: Does choosing hospice or palliative care mean that the family has given up hope for their child?
A: Not at all. Hospice and palliative care is about living life to the fullest – the fullest and most comfortable life your child has in his or her remaining time. Through an innovative, interdisciplinary approach, Noah’s Children ensures comprehensive, compassionate care at the most difficult time for a family by addressing physical, emotional, social, spiritual and practical needs. We provide these services through family-centered compassionate programs that promote dignity and quality of life. The team at Noah’s Children provides for the needs of your child and family, so that you can focus on making sure your child’s time with you is as rich and meaningful as possible.

Q: Our family does not have health insurance. Can Noah’s Children still help us?
A: Services are provided regardless of race, religion, disability or financial resources. Any child needing hospice services who meets the eligibility requirements will not be denied care regardless of their ability to pay.

Q: How can I enroll my child in Noah’s Children?
A: The child’s primary physician must provide written orders for the services provided by Noah’s Children. Children are referred by pediatricians, specialists, intensive care units and health departments from all three major health care networks in Central Virginia, including HCA, Virginia Commonwealth University and Bon Secours.

Q: Can Noah’s Children help our family after the death of our child?
A: Noah’s Children offers emotional and spiritual support to parents and siblings after the patient’s death. Our extensive Illness and Bereavement Support program provides specialized counselors who help:

• create safe and separate environments for children, adolescents and adults to express their feelings and concerns
• provide age-appropriate understanding of the changes that are occurring
• strengthen coping skills
• decrease isolation with peer support from others who are facing similar challenges; and offer non-denominational spiritual support to children and adults.

Services, which are available free of charge, include counseling (individual, family and group), a resource center (lending library) and community outreach services for schools, professionals and businesses dealing with illness, end-of-life issues, sudden death and bereavement.

Q: What life-threatening illnesses have Noah’s Children dealt with?
A: The conditions children in our hospice and palliative care program have faced are numerous and have included:

• Adrenoleukodystrophy
• Alper’s Disease
• Batten’s Disease
• Biliary Atresia
• Cerebral Palsy (severe)
• Colon Cancer
• Complex Cardiac Lesion (inoperable)
• Dyshydrosis Congenital
• Gangliosidosis
• Immunodeficiency Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy
• Leigh’s Syndrome
• Leukemia
• Lissencephaly
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Malignant Neoplasm of the Brain
• Neuroblastoma
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (non specific)
• Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor
• Trisomy 13
• Trisomy 18
• Wilms Tumor

Q: How is Noah’s Children associated with Bon Secours Richmond Health System?
A: In 2007, Bon Secours Richmond assumed operational responsibility for Noah’s Children. Bon Secours supports staff, salaries and administration of the program, although Noah’s Children continues to provide services to children and families in concert with all area providers and health care systems throughout Central Virginia, including HCA Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University.