Helping Your Loved One Adjust to Being Admitted to the Hospital

Many patients have fears of being admitted to the hospital, they worry about being alone, the tests and procedures being done, being in a strange place with strangers at a vulnerable time. As your elderly loved one goes through this troubling time you will want to help them adjust to the best of your capabilities. You can achieve this by following a few steps on helping someone adjust to being admitted to a hospital.

Bringing Comforting Items: Now this isn't to say you want to bring Aunt Mildred's pit-bull into the hospital, but you will want to bring her comforting items like her favorite slippers or a comforting blanket that is always used at home. Bringing things that are familiar to the patient helps them feel like the hospital isn't such a sterile place. Before offering to do this though you will want to check with the medical professionals on the floor to see if this is acceptable to your loved ones health.

Making sure all procedures and tests are fully explained prior to being taken down for the tests: This is very important many people working in hospitals forget what it's like to be the patient, this does not mean they lack compassion it just simply means as a health care provider something they lose touch with the fears and anxiety of the patient especially if the patient is not voicing their concerns. You can talk to the medical professionals to make sure all tests and procedures are explained prior to your elderly loved one being taken down for the tests. There is nothing worse than someone showing up to your hospital room with a wheel chair or gurney and they tell you they are here to take you down for a test you knew nothing about.

Visiting your loved one: Visiting your elderly loved one in the hospital offers not only cheering them up but it also will be beneficial to their health. Many studies have shown that the more positive a patient remains the faster there healing is.

Bringing in photos: Simply having photos of someone nearby helps remind the patient of the loving support system that have.

Bringing a meal to the hospital: Before bring in any type of food you will want to check on your loved ones diet. They may be on special restrictions due to their health conditions, but a home cooked meal can go a very long way with brightening their day if they are allowed to have it. Always check first before bringing in a meal as this would be torture for your elderly loved one to see and smell, but not be able to have.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to replace the recommendations or suggestions of your medical care provider. When ever in doubt please contact your loved ones care provider and ask them for tips and suggestions.

Source: Nurse's Training