There is nothing worse than someone you love being in hospital, especially when they are there for a long period of time. You want to do all that you can to help, however, it is important to take a second and think about what is going to be most beneficial for your loved one. So often when someone is ill, we go into a frantic panic mode, which makes it difficult to think rationally. But, don’t fret, as we have done the thinking for you. Below, we have some great suggestions for the different ways you can improve the situation of a hospital-bound loved one.
Organise accommodation near to the hospital
It is a good idea to organise accommodation close to the hospital if you live far away. Travelling there and back every day can be tiring and time-consuming. Plus, it will give your loved one a lot of comfort to know that you are nearby. There are plenty of serviced apartmentsthat are situated in convenient locations, so you should not find it too difficult to find the ideal place for you.
Educate yourself
As they say, ‘knowledge is power’, and it can really pay to learn as much information as possible about your loved one’s diagnosis. This does not simply mean looking it up on the Internet. We all know how dangerous this can be! You can convince yourself you are dying from a common cold by simply looking online.
Instead, ask the hospital for information about the diagnosis, medication and treatment plan your loved one is on. You can then research the correct medical terms to get some accurate answers. If you are left wondering about certain things, write down a list of questions, and you can ask them to the appropriate person once you get the opportunity.
Eat and drink regularly
If you are at hospital most of the time, it’s easy to get into the habit of living off hospital food, or even worse snacks from the vending machine, and coffee. This will make you feel like rubbish, to be frank! You won’t get the sustained energy you need to be your loved one’s advocate. You may feel alert for about 20 minutes, but then you will go into a slump. It is important to drink plenty of water and eat nutritiously. Take some snacks into the hospital, such as fruit and granola bars.
Look after yourself
It is important to look after yourself.
It is not uncommon for a family member to feel the strain when they are worried about a loved one. But, if you do not take a break or have any time to yourself, stress will take over, and you will only fall ill yourself. You are going to be no use to the person in hospital if you aren’t well. Find time to relax, whether this means going shopping, reading a book, or taking a nap! You will feel much better for it, and you will find that you are much more able to give the person that is unwell the care and attention they need.
There is no denying that it can be one of the most difficult and stressful times when someone you love is in hospital. Nevertheless, if you take note of the tips mentioned above, you can make their time a lot easier. Remember, it is important to look after yourself to ensure you are able to give the level of care that your family member or close friend requires. You will be no use to anyone if you make yourself ill.
