Becoming an adult is an exciting time. While it often comes with increased freedom, it also comes with increased responsibility — including when it comes to your healthcare.
Children’s Nebraska Transition to Adult Program will help you get ready for adult healthcare. This includes transitioning (changing) medical care from a pediatric (kid) doctor to an adult (grown-up) doctor.
While this is an important step in life, we understand that it can also be a difficult and stressful time. We will be here every step along the way to provide help and support. Our goal with the Transition to Adult Program is to help you prepare years to months before this change occurs.
What Does This Transition Mean For You?
For some, the Transition to Adult Program will begin as early as 12 years old. During clinic appointments, you will learn about your health condition and begin practicing how to take care of your own healthcare.
Some of the topics you will learn about include:
- Information about your health condition and how to tell others about it
- Complications of your health condition and when to call the doctor or seek emergency care
- The names of your medications, what they are for, how much and how often to take them, and how to refill prescriptions
- How to ask healthcare questions (You will practice talking alone with your medical team at each clinic appointment.)
- Information about the types of health insurance and privacy changes when you are an adult
- How to find an adult doctor, make appointments, and keep track of your health information
When you reach the age of 18 to 19, our goal is for you to have learned what you need to know to make informed decisions about your own healthcare.
Around the age of 19, we will help you to transition your care to a doctor who takes care of adults with your health condition and medical needs.
What Do Parents And Guardians Need To Know?
At Children’s, we’re here to ease the process for everyone, including parents and guardians. No additional appointments will be needed to complete this program. Instead, we will provide you and your child with resources and education during your regularly scheduled clinic visits.
The Transition to Adult Program is a gradual process that includes you and your child every step of the way. It will help you become more comfortable with your child’s ability to take care of their health condition to the best of their ability and be able to advocate for their healthcare needs.
All clinics use the same Transition to Adult Program with specific information based on your child’s medical condition(s).
What Transition To Adult Programs Are Offered At Children’s Nebraska?
At Children’s, we offer a variety of health condition-specific programs to meet your needs.
Adolescent Medicine Transition to Adult Program
Complex Care Transition to Adult Program
Down Syndrome Transition to Adult Program
Endocrinology Transition to Adult Program
- Diabetes
Gastroenterology Transition to Adult Program
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
Genetics Transition to Adult Program
- Neurofibromatosis (Type 1)
Hematology Transition to Adult Program
- Sickle Cell
Metabolic Disorders Transition to Adult Program
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Nephrology Transition to Adult Program
- Chronic Kidney Disease
Neurology Transition to Adult Program
- Epilepsy
- Headaches
- Tics/Tourette’s
Orthopedics Transition to Adult Program
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)
Pulmonology Transition to Adult Programs
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Chronic Respiratory Failure
Urology Transition to Adult Program
- Neurogenic Bladder
Transition to Adult Program Resources
Moving Forward Book
This book will be provided when you start your Transition to Adult Program. You are encouraged to bring it to each clinic appointment. It includes a checklist, teaching sheets, and exercises to better prepare you to take care of your health condition and medical needs on your own.
What To Do Next
For more information about Children’s Nebraska Transition to Adult Program, call your specialty provider.