The
Christmas holidays can be the best time of the year for most but for those
unable to spend it outside of the hospital it can be a sad, lonely, and
frustrating time of the year. If you find that a loved one is stuck in the
hospital this year, be sure to go the extra mile to make their holidays a bit
better.
There are
a few simple, easy things you can do to bring Christmas cheer to the hospital
room. While it isn’t always possible to set up decorations, your presence or a
thoughtful phone call is often enough to lift someone’s spirits. Take a look at
these tips for visiting the hospital during the holiday season:
·
Stagger the Visits -
No one person should be the visitor; everyone that is available should visit at
separate times so the person that is in the hospital feels wanted. By
staggering the visits, everyone has a chance to socialize with the patient and
the patient is not overwhelmed with too many people.
·
Bring
Festive Food – If it is ok with the attending
doctor, bring food that reminds the patient of the season. Sometimes even
setting a bowl of festively wrapped candy in the room for those in medical scrubs to munch on can bring a bit of pizzazz to bland walls.
·
Deck the
Halls - Who says you can’t decorate the
hospital room like you would at home? Ask the person what they think of the
idea and what kind of decorations they want. There is no reason why it can’t be
fun for them too! Just be sure that the hospital staff approves the décor you
put up.
·
Use
Technology Available - If there’s a chance you can’t come to
the hospital, set up some form web-chat. A phone call is always a good choice
as well.
·
Never
Overdo It - Never overwhelm the loved one.
Visitors are great but you don’t want to crowd him or her with a room full of
visitors or a large string of visiting friends. Make sure there is some down
time for the patient to get some breathing room.
As either
a nurse, doctor, or even a former patient, what are some suggestions you have
for those visiting loved ones in the hospital this season?
