While no one dreams of a trip to the hospital, sometimes its necessary.If and when this happens, there are many things we can do to make the hospital stay more comfortable and less stressful while encouraging a rapid recovery.Remember, if you cant head home from the hospital right away, the benefit of remaining there for recovery includes continuous support from nurses, care assistants, and daily face time with the physician.Yes, its true that hospitals arent very conducive to a restful time.During a hospital stay, its common to:Be awoken in the middle of the night for medicationsGive up nap time for a visit with the doctorCope with noisy hospital corridors, glaring lights and rigid food schedulesDeal with a general lack of privacyFor a more productive hospital stay, our best advice can be summed up in two words: Be Prepared.Because of this, we are providing tips on what to pack for a hospital stay.
We will also share some thoughts on how to make a hospital stay more comfortable.Finally, you can read tips you can share with visitors on what they can bring when visiting.What to Pack for a Hospital StayA hospital visit will be more comfortable if you bring some comfort items from home.Start with the basics like preferred toiletries.
Then consider the following:Reading material such as a book, a book reader or some magazinesA tablet or laptop preloaded with moviesThings to pass the time like crossword puzzlesFace wash, hand cream or lotion, deodorant, lip balm, sanitary wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a brush or combSleep mask and earplugsCharger, cell phone, earbuds, with preloaded music or podcastsWashable fleece throw blanketChanges of underwearComfortable clothes that are easy to put on and take offPump bottle of hand sanitizer to keep at bedsideAnti-bacterial wipes to disinfect the TV remote and bed controls when arrive in your roomPen and pad of paper for keeping track of questions and to jot down information provided by the hospital staffEyeglasses with case or contact lens suppliesA folder with current medication list, medical provider information, copy of advance directive, relevant paperwork such as trustee/power of attorney, DNR wishes, telephone numbers for family members, etcSuccessful stay tip: Make a copy of your list and put it somewhere youll remember it.If you or your loved one must go to the hospital soon, start gathering these items and organize them in a box or purse.5 Ways to Make a Hospital Stay More ComfortableWhen your loved one is in the hospital, why not help him or her make the best of it? Finding ways to help a friend or family member be more comfortable could take the edge off the anxiety and make the stay a bit more relaxing.Keep the following in mind:Embrace pain management.
The recovery period immediately following surgery is often accompanied by discomfort as well as pain.Controlling pain is an important part of postoperative care.Constant pain disrupts the healing process, raising blood pressure and interrupting proper sleep.
Accepting prescribed pain medications helps accelerate the healing process.Be sure to follow the recommended schedule for gradually reducing and discontinuing the meds.Limit visitors.Being surrounded by caring friends or family members can definitely lift our spirits.
But after surgery, its normal to feel uncomfortable, fatigued, irritable or out of sorts.Reassure your loved one that they neednt feel guilty declining visitors until returning home.If theyre up for visitors, ask visitors to limit their stay to a brief timeframe of 10-15 minutes.
Be kind when explaining this to friends.However, make it clear that the priority is to protect health and promote healing.Streamline progress updates.Its exhausting for your loved one in the hospital to be responsible for keeping everyone updated on their recovery.
Thanks to technology, its very easy to have a family member be in charge of sending updates to an email list of close friends and family.You might even set up a blog to post health updates without pestering the patient.These updates can include health status, visitation wishes, meal delivery upon returning home, along with other needs.Be flexible.
Its not surprising that hospital patients are often nervous and more than a little uptight.Their desire to get well as quickly as possible may lead to having rigid expectations about how they should be doing.It might help if you will encourage your parent to take a deep breath and try to let go of the need for control.
Being a bit flexible and staying present in the moment may allow patients to focus on whats in front of them instead of wasting time on things they cant change or things that can wait.Remind your loved one that they are in the hospital so that the professional medical care team can take care of them.Encourage them to see if they can go with the flow.
This more accepting attitude will promote healing and speed up a return to normal life routines.Stay informed.Ask questions and make sure you and the patient understand everything the medical staff says.If you arent clear, request an explanation.
Also remember the nurse call button is there for the patient to use when anything is needed.Whether help is needed with pain or going to the bathroom, be sure to use that button.You will also want to make certain the patients primary care doctor is kept up to date on their condition throughout their stay.Successful stay tip: Remind your loved one (or yourself) that you are in the hospital to achieve a specific purpose.
Do your best to be patient and positive.Tips for Visitors: 11 Ways to Brighten Someones Hospital Stay While flowers might brighten your loved ones hospital stay, there are plenty of thoughtful ways to cheer up a hospital-bound friend.From practical to whimsical, here are some thought starters:Snacks.Because hospital food is seldom featured on the food channel, you might wish to bring your relative or friend some tasty snacks.
Suggestions include fresh fruit or food that is easy to nibble on, like crackers or trail mix.Just make sure that whatever you bring is compatible with the patients medical condition.Soft, cozy throws or blankets.Hospital linens are practical.
But you dont have to be.Imagine your loved one snuggling up with a plush blanket.A scalp massager.Inexpensive, simple-to-use and effective, this lightweight tool is amazingly relaxing.
Its also easy to order online.Fuzzy, non-skid socks.Many hospitals issue non-skids socks to their patients.Go one better with a pair of socks that combine safety and comfort.Adult coloring book.
Until recently, this was an off-beat idea but now theyve popped up everywhere.Its a creative way for your mom, dad or loved one to pass the time in a very engaging activity.Sleep mask and ear plugs.If your friend or family member didnt include these items in their hospital go bag, bring an eye mask and ear plugs on your next visit.
You just might give them the gift of a better nights sleep.A pillow with a heartwarming message.A small, accent pillow with some reassuring words embroidered on it might lift the spirits of a hospital patient.A pajama set.Patients many feel more at home with a comfortable set of PJs.A stuffed animal.
Available just about everywhere (including the hospital gift shop), a stuffed teddy bear could make a hospital stay, well, more bearable.An extra-long cell phone charger cable.Like it or not, our electronic devices connect us to the outside world.However, they wont do much good with a battery thats lost its charge!Dont neglect the nurses and tech specialists.
If youd like to express your appreciation to the hospital staff, bring them a box of bagels or a basket or cookies.Visitor gift tip: Before you arrive with your thoughtful gift, text or call to make sure its OK for you to drop by.When selecting gifts, keep the patients physical, mental and emotional condition in mind and be sure its appropriate.For more ideas on making a hospital visit more hospitable, check in here.ResourcesAn Insiders Guide to a Hospital StayThoughtful Gifts for People in the HospitalThoughtful Things to Bring Someone in the HospitalWhat to Bring Someone in the Hospital
Publisher: Eldercare Answers ( Read More )
