|
September 2010 Newsletter |
Greetings!
When a friend is hospitalized, we often struggle with the question of whether or not to visit. It is always good to remember the benefits for the patient and find ways to help in addition to visiting.
Good reasons to visit:
- A visitor can cheerfulyl remind the patient that he/she is loved.
- A visitor can lend an ear if the patient needs to talk.
- A visitor can bring helpful items as well as find out ways the patient needs help.
- A visitor can relieve family members who may want to go home to shower or eat, but do not want the patient to be alone.
Good reasons not to visit:
- The patient needs rest and may already have too many visitors.
- Some people are very private and do not want visitors in the hospital.
- Patients often need to have tests run, so the patient may feel uncomfortable with visitors being around during tests.
- If you have the sniffles you certainly don't need to share!
"When I recently went to the hospital to visit my neighbor after he had surgery I saw a room filled with relatives and immediately knew that Henry didn't need more visitors. I quickly poked my head in to say "hi" and then left a note with a nurse, asking to have it delivered to Henry's room. The note simply said I was thinking about him and not to worry about his yard because the neighbors were taking care of it." Sally P.
If you do visit:
- Keep your visit short. Repeat: Keep your visit short.
- A card, candies for the hospital staff, or a diversion for family members is nice to take. Keep in mind that all of the things taken to the patient will need to be taken home.
- Offer specific help. (Can I water your plants while you're here? May I drive your sister over to visit?)
- Don't exhaust your friend with long stories about what is going on in your life right now.
- See more ideas on What Friends Need to Know
- Keep your visit short!!
Remember that while a friend is hospitalized, there are many, many ways to express your concern and love:
- Send a card with a heartfelt handwritten note.
- Do a helpful, practical act of kindness at your friend's home, such as raking leaves and sweeping sidewalks.
- If your friend has children, offer to help with homework, drive the children to activities, or invite the children to your home for a few hours.
Our Facebook friends shared these ideas:
Bring things to help with basic grooming. That is, ask if they need rollers or want help drying their hair. Ask if they want a robe from home. Most important, if they look "green" in the face, leave. Let people rest but also let them know you love them.
Check  for other responses! |
