How to bring comfort to a person in the hospital – 02/02/2024 – Balance

Being in the hospital can be scary. Research suggests that a more comfortable environment, such as one that has less noise and more homely touches, can affect a patient’s sense of well-being.

I asked experts for advice on how to make someone’s time in the hospital more enjoyable.

GIVE THEM THINGS THAT BRING COMFORT

Ask your loved one if there are any requests; perhaps a favorite robe or blanket, says Ada Offurum, medical director of the University of Maryland Medical Center’s physician advisory group.

She also suggests a few items: a pair of flip-flops (with non-slip soles because floors can be slippery), ear plugs, and an eye mask.

The air in a hospital is often very dry, so patients may appreciate a hand cream, face cream and lip balm, says Tami Minnier, nurse practitioner and director of quality and operational excellence at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

ASK IF A PET CAN COME FOR A VISIT

Some hospitals allow quick visits from four-legged friends, so ask about those policies, says Minnier.

If pets aren’t allowed, it might be possible to “put your mom or dad in a wheelchair and take them outside” to see their partner, she said. Some hospitals offer pet therapy at no cost, she said, which has been shown to be effective in relieving anxiety.

KEEP VISITS SHORT

Consult your loved one about the names of potential visitors, as they may not want private matters discussed with someone they are not close to, says Offurum. And keep visits brief, says Minnier, unless the patient requests otherwise.

She recommends 15 to 30 minutes. If the patient is walking, willing, and needs to regain strength, ask a nurse for permission to take the patient for a brief walk.

CREATE EXPECTATION

Finding things a patient can look forward to can lift their spirits, said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, assistant professor at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Nursing and president of the American Nurses Association.

If you have family members who live elsewhere, she said, organize a phone network.

This article was originally published in The New York Times.