Transition of Care

Successful transition from pediatric to adult care is a purposeful and on-going process of helping young adults and their caregivers (parents and guardians) identify and prepare for changes in care that go along with growing into adulthood. Growing older happens to everyone. Infants become children who become adolescents and young adults. This is called transition. The changes involved in this transition include, but are not limited to:

• Finding providers, hospitals and home care services that work with adults 
• Working with current health care providers while deciding if new providers, hospitals and home care services are the right fit  
• Developing plans of care that help new providers understand your unique health care needs 
• Preparing for changes in insurance eligibility and understanding options for managing health care such as guardianship, conservatorship or other supportive decision-making options  
• Offering information and/or practicing skills related to finding options for post-secondary education, vocational or rehabilitation services, independent living, community inclusion, social and recreational resources, and post-secondary and community supports 
• Providing parents and caregivers with information specific to their role, including community and professional supports, and advocacy groups

Transition is a team effort between young adult/caregiver/pediatric providers (primary care and specialty care) and community services.

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care systems can be daunting and uncomfortable. For caregivers and young adults, this transition means saying good-bye to trusted pediatric providers and services. This can be hard. Caregivers might worry about important information ‘falling through the cracks’ or it may bring back stressful feelings from when your young adult was first diagnosed. Gillette Children's understands your concerns and works closely to ensure important health care information is transferred to each new provider. 

The care Gillette provides is specialized and many patients have multiple providers. The process of discussing transition to adult services ideally begins during adolescence, between the ages of 12 to 14. This allows time for a gradual and planned transition of providers and services.

Gillette providers work with patients and their caregivers to determine the age for transitioning care. This means some providers will discuss transition earlier or later, than others. This allows transition to be gradual and well controlled and gives patients and their caregivers time to find the ‘right fit.’

However, there are some firm age rules for two services provided by Gillette:  

• The Operating Room can conduct surgical procedures up to 40 years of age. 
• The Inpatient Adult Unit can admit up to certain ages, depending on the reason for admission
  • Persons up to 40 years of age are admitted following a surgical procedure
  • Persons up to 26 years of age are admitted for some medical conditions, depending on the care required 

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care is a team effort, and the transition team begins with you. Young adults and their caregivers bring needed expertise to the process. Gillette providers need your questions, hopes and dreams to guide the transition process and transition team. In addition to current healthcare providers, the transition team at Gillette may include the complex care team, social work, therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation therapies, psychology and care management. Talking to all Gillette providers about these services allows you to build a team that is helpful for you. Keep in mind the transition team also includes non-Gillette persons and services. Examples include but are not limited to primary care provider/pediatrician, county case manager, school, vocational and day programs, home nursing and equipment suppliers. 

Sharing all current providers (primary care and specialty care) and community services with your transition team helps build a transition plan. This plan lists who and what needs transitioning and what you can do to begin the transition process. Remember, no one person is responsible for transition. It is a team effort.  

Gillette Children’s is committed to helping our patients realize their potential and navigate the transition from pediatric to adult health systems and other community resources. We compiled a list of frequently asked transition questions and resources, to help you explore each question.  If you have any questions, concerns or want to learn more about transition, Gillette is here to help. Please contact us at 651-229-3855.