Logan Reid
Being a patient in a hospital can be a stressful and frustrating experience, and it can be tough to know how best to support a friend or relative who is unwell. There are many ways to help a loved one during their hospital stay, from offering companionship and gifts to making their room feel more homely. It's also important to remember that hospital staff are often overworked, so you can act as an advocate for your loved one and speak up about any concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spend time with them | Your presence will help the time go by more quickly, easing their anxieties and fears |
| Bring gifts | Magazines, colouring books, stuffed animals, photographs, music, cosy blankets, etc. |
| Help with day-to-day tasks | Arranging house cleaning, lawn care, pet sitting, grocery deliveries, etc. |
| Help with childcare | Taking children to lessons, sporting events, school, etc. |
| Make their room more enjoyable | Stringing colourful lights and supplying other festive decorations |
| Provide reminders of home | A pillow, a throw blanket, or a photo of family members or a pet |
| Be kind to caregivers | Offer the caregiver respite time for a break to run an errand, spend time in the chapel, etc. |
| Be considerate | Know when to leave and when they need to rest |
| Be supportive | Be someone they can talk to |
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What You'll Learn
- Offer to help with daily tasks, like house cleaning, lawn care, or pet sitting
- Bring gifts like a shawl, a photo album, or a stuffed animal
- Spend time with the patient, sharing stories and laughter
- Help with advocacy and ask questions at the nurse's station
- Be considerate of the patient's needs and comfort levels
Offer to help with daily tasks, like house cleaning, lawn care, or pet sitting
When a friend or family member is in the hospital, it can be challenging to know how to help. It's important to be specific in your offer of assistance, rather than putting the burden on them to come up with tasks for you. One way to help is to offer to take care of their daily tasks and responsibilities, such as house cleaning, lawn care, or pet sitting.
If you know they have pets, offer to walk their dog, feed their cats, or take care of any other pet-related needs. This can be a huge help, especially if they are facing a long hospital stay. Lawn care is another area where you can lend a hand. Offer to mow their lawn, water their plants, or take care of any other outdoor maintenance tasks.
You can also offer to help with house cleaning. This could include doing their laundry, washing dishes, taking out the trash, or any other household chores that need to be done. If they have children, you could offer to help with childcare or homework. This would give the parents or guardians time to focus on their own needs, such as taking a break or catching up on other tasks.
Another way to help is by running errands or fetching groceries. Ask if they need you to pick up any items from the store, drop off and collect mail, or handle any other errands that need to be done. These tasks can help ease the burden on the person in the hospital and their family, allowing them to focus on rest and recovery.
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Bring gifts like a shawl, a photo album, or a stuffed animal
When a friend or family member is in the hospital, it can be a stressful and frustrating experience for them. One way to help them through this difficult time is by bringing gifts that may give the patient some reprieve from boredom.
A shawl is a great gift idea as it is easy to drape over the patient without interfering with intravenous or other medical lines. Unlike a sweater, a shawl has no sleeves, making it a convenient option for patients who need to undergo various medical procedures.
A photo album is another thoughtful gift that can help patients stay connected to their loved ones and remind them of who they are and what they are fighting for. It can be a compilation of photographs of friends, family, and pets. Alternatively, you can print a few photos and stick them on the wall to decorate the patient's room. This can make the hospital room seem more home-like and comforting.
A stuffed animal is another option to consider, especially for patients with a lengthy hospital stay. It can provide comfort and companionship, and for patients with a beloved pet at home, a small stuffed animal representing their pet can help ease their longing.
When bringing gifts to a patient in the hospital, it is important to consider their physical limitations and choose items that are portable and geared towards their interests and abilities. It is also advisable to check with the hospital beforehand as there may be constraints on what you can bring due to space limitations and considerations for germs.
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Spend time with the patient, sharing stories and laughter
Spending time with a hospitalised friend or family member is a great way to bring them cheer and make their hospital stay more positive and meaningful. Your presence will help ease their anxieties and fears and make their time in hospital pass more quickly.
It is important to know when to leave, however, so be sure to recognise when the patient needs to rest. If you are unable to visit in person, phone calls can help provide mental stimulation and a feeling of normal social interaction. If your friend or family member has a close friend or relative who lives far away, you could set up a Skype call between the two of them.
When spending time with a hospital patient, it can be helpful to share stories and laughter. You could reminisce about positive experiences you have shared, or tell stories about things that have happened since you last saw each other. Ask them about their hobbies, children, or job, and share stories about your own life. This will deepen the level of trust and comfort between you, and help you to understand how to provide the best support for their situation.
If your friend or family member is well enough, you could also watch a funny movie together. Humorous films can help to lift a patient's spirits. Alternatively, with the hospital's permission, you could sing or play music in their room, or ask the floor nurse if you can play a mini-concert in the hallway for all the patients on the ward.
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Help with advocacy and ask questions at the nurse's station
When a loved one is in the hospital, it can be a vulnerable and taxing time for them, and they will need your support. You can help by advocating for them and asking important questions at the nurses' station. Here are some ways to do this effectively:
Ask for Updates
Ask the care team how and how often you can receive updates about your loved one's condition. This will help you set expectations and stay informed. Don't hesitate to ask the team to explain things in simple language if the medical jargon is confusing. Remember, you can always request to speak to the attending physician through your loved one's nurse.
Understand the Diagnosis and Treatment
Ask if there is a definitive diagnosis and, if so, learn about possible treatment options. If there isn't a clear diagnosis yet, inquire about potential conditions causing the symptoms. Ask about tests being ordered and why, and what medications have been prescribed, including dosage, duration, and potential side effects. Ensure the healthcare team is aware of any allergies or adverse reactions your loved one has experienced in the past.
Plan for Discharge
Find out what to expect after discharge. Will your loved one need additional recovery time at home? When should they schedule follow-up appointments with their primary care physician or specialists? How long should they continue taking medications prescribed in the hospital? Understanding these details will help you prepare for your loved one's return home and ensure a smooth transition.
Offer Practical Help
Ask the care team how you can assist with your loved one's recovery. This could include bringing in items such as pictures or familiar objects, sharing information about their interests and routines, or simply keeping them engaged through reading, games, or conversation. These small actions can make a significant difference in your loved one's recovery process.
Remember, nurses are there to help and support patients and their families. Don't hesitate to approach them with your questions and concerns. They can provide valuable insights and guidance during this challenging time.
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Be considerate of the patient's needs and comfort levels
Being in hospital can be a scary and hopeless experience for many patients. It is important to be considerate of the patient's needs and comfort levels to help them feel better and improve their overall hospital experience.
One way to do this is by spending time with them. Your presence will help the time go by faster for them and will ease their anxieties and fears. Laughter is also a great medicine, so do not be afraid to bring your sense of humour with you when you visit. If the patient is mentally alert but requires a lot of rest and recovery, phone calls or visits can provide mental stimulation and a feeling of normal social interaction.
You can also bring gifts to make the patient's hospital stay more positive and meaningful. However, it is important to be mindful of what you bring. For example, patients may not be able to tolerate scents or flavours if they are feeling nauseous, so avoid bringing anything scented or flavoured. Instead, consider bringing items such as a shawl, lip balm, tissues, an unscented lotion, or a stuffed animal. If the patient has a lot of medical lines, a shawl may be more suitable than a sweater as it has no sleeves.
Additionally, consider bringing items that will remind the patient of who they are and what they are fighting for. For example, photographs of friends, family, and pets can be comforting. You can also bring their favourite foods or drinks, or decorations for their room, such as colourful lights or cards. If the patient has a musical talent, you can ask the hospital's permission to sing or play music for them.
Finally, it is important to know when to leave. Recognise when the patient needs to rest and be alone.
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Frequently asked questions
Visits from friends and family can help to cheer up someone in the hospital. You can also bring gifts, such as a shawl, a pillow, a throw blanket, a photo of family members or pets, magazines, or books. If the patient is a child, consider bringing colouring books and stuffed animals.
It is important to call ahead and ask the patient and hospital staff if you can bring food. You can also bring decorations, such as colourful lights, ribbons, and cards, to make the patient's room more enjoyable.
You can help with day-to-day tasks such as taking out the trash, getting the mail, feeding their pets, watching their kids, arranging house cleaning, and running errands. You can also offer to give the patient's caregiver a break so that they can run an errand or spend time alone.
It is important to respect the patient's boundaries and limitations. Give them permission to practice self-care and let them know that it is okay to step away from the bedside. Ask the patient if there is a good time to visit and always call ahead before visiting to give them the option to decline if they need to rest.
Hospital stays can be overwhelming, so it is important to put the patient first and be there for them. You can also help by being an advocate for the patient and asking questions at the nurse's station.
