At 18 years of age, youth age out of paediatric care and move into the adult health-care system. This means they also age out of a number of services that have supported them since childhood.
This can be a stressful time for many patients; however, research shows beginning to prepare them early sets them up for success. That's where our Transitions in Care team comes in.
How we can help
Services we provide:
- Clinical support: Collaborating with health-care providers in the paediatric and adult systems to ensure a smooth transition, with the goal of enhancing patient experience and improving health outcomes.
- Advocacy: Helping youth advocate for their needs and empowering them to take an active role in their health-care journey.
- Education: Providing resources youth and their families can use to increase their knowledge of and readiness for transitions in care.
- Research: Contributing to the body of knowledge on transition planning by tracking and analyzing patient outcomes.
If you're a parent who would like to request transition support for your child/youth, please speak with their Children's Hospital care team.
Frequently asked questions
Which youth at Children's Hospital are eligible for transition support?
Our team is currently supporting inpatients and outpatients at Children's Hospital who have a chronic illness and will need to be transitioned to an adult care provider when they turn 18.
How early do you begin preparing youth? And what does the timeline look like?
Research shows the best time to start preparing young patients for the transition to adult care is around ages 12-14. Our team will begin meeting with them then and follow them through the age of 21.
Transition milestones:
- Age 12-14: Introduction to transitioning to adult care
- Age 14-16: Readiness assessment and goal setting
- Age 16-18: Skill development and self-management
- Age 18-21: Adult follow-ups
What can patients expect when moving from paediatric to adult care?
Patients can expect the following changes when moving from paediatric to adult care:
- You will become the primary decision maker and will be expected to participate in your care independently. This means you will need to arrive at your appointments prepared to discuss concerns, ask and answer questions, and consent to treatments without your parents. (We call this moving from family-centred to patient-centred care.)
- Your personal health information will not be shared with anyone (including your parents) unless your consent is given.
- Clinic visits with your adult care provider are shorter, so it is wise to plan what you would like to say or ask ahead of time.
- Booking appointments and following up on test results will become your responsibility.
- Your insurance coverage may change.
Not sure if you're ready? Print and fill out our Transition Readiness Questionnaire to help you identify areas you might benefit from extra support.
How can I support my child with their transition to adult care?
Parents can support their child by encouraging independence; however, this doesn’t mean stepping back completely. It means guiding your child to make their own decisions, learn from their experiences and develop the confidence to stand on their own.
We've developed a checklist you can print and use at home. It will help you identify areas your child may need your support in before they enter into adult care.
I'm close to turning 18. Are there any celebrations planned?
The Transitions in Care team plans an annual ceremony for patients graduating from Children's Hospital and into the adult health-care system. Please connect with our team for more information or if you'd like to participate.
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