Logan Reid
Explaining a hospitalization to someone can be a difficult task, and the approach may vary depending on the context and the person you are explaining it to. Hospitalization can be voluntary or involuntary and may be necessary for various reasons, such as close monitoring, accurate diagnosis, medication adjustment, or stabilization during a mental health crisis or acute episode of mental illness. When explaining hospitalization, it is important to consider the individual's privacy and consent regarding sharing medical information. The length of hospitalization can vary from a few days to several weeks, and the discharge process typically involves an evaluation to determine the individual's ability to care for themselves outside of inpatient care. During hospitalization, social connections and encouragement from friends and family can play a crucial role in the patient's mental stimulation and overall recovery process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | Hospitalizations can last anywhere from one or two days to several weeks, but most are less than a week. |
| Reasons for hospitalization | Individuals may be hospitalized for close monitoring, accurate diagnosis, medication adjustment, or stabilization during an acute episode of mental illness. |
| Decision-making | Hospitalization may be voluntary or involuntary, decided by the individual, a family member, or a professional. Involuntary hospitalization may occur when an individual is at risk of harming themselves or others. |
| Discharge process | The attending psychiatrist has the final word on discharges, usually in consultation with the inpatient team and outpatient care providers. An evaluation process may be required, especially if hospitalization was court-ordered or involuntary. |
| Visitor policies | Most psychiatric inpatient units allow visitors during specified visiting hours, but the patient decides if they want to see visitors. |
| Gifts and gestures | Thoughtful gifts, funny videos, jokes, and encouraging messages can brighten a patient's day. It is important to avoid scented items and consider gifts that provide comfort and ease, such as shawls. |
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What You'll Learn
- Gifts: bring individually wrapped gifts, photos, or a stuffed animal
- Visits: provide companionship and mental stimulation, but know when to leave
- Text messages: send jokes, encouragement, and offer help with day-to-day tasks
- Phone calls: offer support and a listening ear
- Scented items: avoid bringing scented items, opt for a shawl instead
Gifts: bring individually wrapped gifts, photos, or a stuffed animal
When a friend or family member is in the hospital, it can be challenging to know how best to support them. Sending a gift or visiting in person can be a great way to show your love and support. Here are some ideas for gifts to bring to someone in the hospital:
Individually Wrapped Gifts
Individually wrapped gifts are a thoughtful way to show your support. Consider bringing a bag or box filled with small, thoughtful or funny gifts. These gifts can be opened on different days, extending the joy and providing something to look forward to each day. This is especially helpful for those facing a lengthy hospital stay.
Photos
Photos of friends, family, and pets can be a wonderful way to bring familiarity and comfort to a hospital room. Compile a small album or print a few favourites to stick on the wall. A photo collage or photo board can also brighten up the room and provide a conversation topic.
Stuffed Animal
A small stuffed animal can be a comforting companion, especially if it represents a beloved pet that the patient may be missing. It can provide a sense of comfort and companionship during their recovery.
Other Ideas
Other thoughtful gifts include a shawl, which is preferred over a sweater as it doesn't have sleeves and won't interfere with medical lines. Avoid anything scented or flavoured, as patients may be nauseous and sensitive to smells. If the patient is up for it, bring their favourite takeout food or treats, like their favourite cookies.
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Visits: provide companionship and mental stimulation, but know when to leave
Visiting a friend or family member in the hospital can be a great way to provide companionship and mental stimulation. However, it's important to know when to leave and give the patient time to rest. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit:
- Offer companionship and social interaction: Humans are naturally social creatures, and having company can provide encouragement and a sense of normalcy for the patient. Share jokes, funny videos, or memes to lift their spirits and provide a distraction from their illness.
- Bring thoughtful gifts: Small, thoughtful gifts can make a big difference. Consider individually wrapped gifts or notes that can be opened on different days to extend the feeling of companionship beyond your visit. Nurse Sherod Harris recalls a heartwarming example: "One of the more unique presentations given to a convalescing patient that I have seen was a series of drawings with accompanying jokes, from the students of a school custodian – because he would always provide jokes for the children. His wall was full of them."
- Create a comforting environment: Bring items that can make the patient's hospital stay more comfortable, such as a shawl (recommended over a sweater by nurse Amy O'Rourke, as it has no sleeves for ease with intravenous lines) or a small stuffed animal for patients with longer stays. Nurse Kyle Choquette suggests decorating the room with encouraging quotes or photographs of friends, family, and pets.
- Provide a special experience: Mark special occasions or create memorable moments during the patient's stay. Nurse Jacqui Aldinger recalls a heartwarming example: "I once had a patient who was celebrating her 70th wedding anniversary in the hospital. Her husband brought in a corsage, music player, takeout food – including the chocolate chip cookies she always used to make for him -- and a battery-lit candle so they could enjoy a candle-lit dinner. It was beautiful."
- Know when to leave: Be mindful of the patient's need for rest and recovery. As nurse Marilyn O'Connor advises, "Recognize when the patient needs to rest." Short but frequent visits or phone calls can be a good way to provide companionship without overtaxing the patient.
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Text messages: send jokes, encouragement, and offer help with day-to-day tasks
When someone is in the hospital, sending jokes, encouraging messages, and offering help with day-to-day tasks through text messages can be a great way to show your support. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Send jokes and funny messages:
- "I went to Sarah's party, but it wasn't nearly as fun without you there! Get better soon so we can dance all night like we used to!"
- "I went out for brunch today, and it wasn't the same without you. Get well soon so we can make up for it!"
- "I actually learned something in class today, but only because you weren't there to distract me! Get better soon so we can go back to our usual shenanigans!"
Offer encouragement and support:
- "Miss seeing your face at the gym! Can't wait to work on hitting our squat goals together once you're back on your feet!"
- "The whole class is talking about how much they miss your jokes. Get well soon so you can make us laugh again!"
- "I turned in all those reports you helped me with. Get well soon—I'll need your help on the next project!"
- "Hey, I heard you're under the weather. Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and hoping you feel better soon!"
- "So sorry to hear you're in the hospital. We're thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."
Offer help with day-to-day tasks:
- "Can I help with taking or picking up your kids from school while you're in the hospital?"
- "I'd be happy to mow your lawn or pick up your mail while you're away. Just let me know if that would be helpful!"
- "I'd love to bring you a home-cooked meal or your favorite snack. Are there any dietary restrictions I should know about?"
- "I know you might not feel up for visitors, but I'd be happy to drop off some blankets, pillows, and a movie to help you feel more comfortable. Just say the word!"
Remember, it's important to be sensitive to the person's situation and adjust your messages accordingly. If they are dealing with a serious illness or may not recover, avoid any "feel better soon" messages. Instead, focus on expressing your support and offering help in any way you can. Also, consider adding "no need to reply" to your messages to relieve any pressure on the recipient. Your thoughtful texts will surely bring a smile to their face and show them that you care!
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Phone calls: offer support and a listening ear
When a friend or family member is in the hospital, it can be challenging to know how to support them. One way to offer support is through phone calls. A quick, encouraging message over the phone can make your loved one feel better and show that you are rooting for their recovery. It is important to follow their cues and be mindful of their preferences. For instance, humour can be a great coping mechanism for some, so sending a joking text or a funny video can help take their mind off being sick. However, this should be done only if you know that this is something they would appreciate.
You can also offer a listening ear by calling them and letting them vent. This can be especially helpful if they need to talk about their feelings or express their worries. It is important to be sensitive and non-judgmental during these conversations and to respect their privacy. Ask them how they are doing and express your love and support, especially if they are dealing with a serious illness.
Additionally, you can offer practical help over the phone. Ask if there is anything they need or any day-to-day tasks you can assist with during their recovery. Be specific with your offers of help, such as offering to mow their lawn or pick up their mail, so that you are not adding to their burden.
Phone calls can provide mental stimulation and a sense of social connection, which can be beneficial during a hospital stay. They can help your loved one feel encouraged to get better and provide a feeling of normalcy. However, it is also important to recognise when they need rest and give them space to recover.
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Scented items: avoid bringing scented items, opt for a shawl instead
Scented items should be avoided when visiting someone in the hospital. Operating room nurse Amy O'Rourke advises against bringing anything scented or flavored to a patient. This is because patients can become nauseous and are often already unwell, so strong scents can be unpleasant and overwhelming.
Artificial scents can cause serious issues for patients with asthma, skin sensitivities, or upper airway issues. Surveys show that around 30% of people have some sensitivity to scents worn by others, and 27% of asthmatics say their asthma is made worse by such exposures. In some cases, asthma is primarily aggravated by artificial scents, and attacks can be sudden and serious.
Scented items can also trigger symptoms in people with asthma, such as bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion, and neurogenic inflammation. Many public places, including hospitals, promote a scent-free environment to protect patients and staff from these issues.
Instead of bringing scented items, opt for a shawl. Shawls are a good gift as they have no sleeves, which makes them easier to wear with intravenous or other medical lines. They can provide comfort and warmth without the potential issues caused by scented items.
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Frequently asked questions
Some thoughtful gifts to cheer up someone in the hospital include individually wrapped small gifts or notes to be opened on different days, photo boards or collages, and drawings with accompanying jokes. If the patient has pets, a small stuffed animal representing their pet can be comforting. It is also good to bring a shawl instead of a sweater, as the former does not have sleeves and is thus easier to wear with intravenous or other medical lines. Avoid bringing anything scented or flavored as patients might not be able to tolerate such things.
Sending a quick, encouraging message over the phone or in person can be a great way to show your support. You can also send a joking text or a funny video, especially if the person is dealing with a less serious illness. It can also be encouraging for the patient to receive phone calls or visits, providing mental stimulation and a feeling of normal social interactions.
Hospitalization is often necessary for individuals who need to be closely monitored, accurately diagnosed, or have their medications adjusted. It can also be a way to reduce the stress of daily responsibilities for a brief period, allowing the individual to focus on recovery from a mental health crisis. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure the safety of the individual or others around them.
Hospitalizations can last anywhere from one or two days to several weeks, but most are less than a week. The length of stay depends on various factors, including the patient's progress, the situation they are being discharged to, and the treatment plan going forward.
