You never know when you might need a hospital stay. The reasons for hospital stays rang from happy occasions like childbirth too frightening emergency situations and planned treatments or surgeries. These hospital situations have the potential to create stress with both the patients and their relatives or loved ones. It is difficult for both parties but there are things you can do to make it more comfortable.
Read the following tips on how you can make your love one’s get through the difficult time:
Advocate for the patient
In most hospitals, the staff has to work twice as hard to make everyone more comfortable. Despite trying their best, they simply cannot please anybody. If your family member has stayed in a hospital for a long time before, you probably know what I’m trying to say. Staying in the hospital is equally tough for everybody. Your role as an advocate for your loved one is therefore very important. You need to talk to the doctors and nurses to make sure they have whatever they need.
Make the place feel like home
Taking a touch of home to the hospital will make your loved one feel more comfortable and secure. You can carry a pillow, blanket, family photo as well as things even like pets to lift their spirits and make the stay more worthwhile. Even though most hospital stays are mostly short term, some few things are allowed in. You have to make sure the hospital allows these items before you pack any bags. Some items are not allowed because they may take up too much space or mess with the medical procedures.
Call the hospital before you visit
Make sure your loved one is always prepared for you to stop by. If you are visiting the hospital, call to get their permission and also to give them the time to get ready. It will give them time or a chance to decide whether they are in the mood to have a visitor or they just need a rest. Maintaining some modesty for your visitors can be hard when you are in some situations.
Respect your loved one’s need for sleep
It does not matter what time of day it is, the patient should have plenty of time to rest. Sometimes, they are unable to sleep due to anxiety from the hospital, some pain from surgery and general health. Taking random naps when they can is really important for the healing process.
Additionally, if the patient is asleep when you arrive at the hospital, there is no need to wake them up. You can wait for a while or choose to wake them up when you are a close family and need to have a conversation with them.
Finally, keep your visits short
Unless you are deeply related to the patient, make your visit short, precise and sweet. If your job is to be an advocate for the patient, you can stay as much as you are allowed to. the patient should not have to worry if they are around.