Enjoying the Season When Your Loved One is in the Hospital

Health For The Holidays

Enjoying the season when your loved one is in the hospital

The holiday season is truly my favorite time of year. The friend and family get-togethers, the music and decorating, and events throughout the community. I remember working in the hospital every year Christmas time, the hospital environment felt extra welcoming.

However, if your loved one is in the hospital, it's a very different experience. I remember my brother recently being in the hospital due to his cancer. He was admitted just after Thanksgiving, and with everything going on, celebrating the holidays was the last thing I wanted to do. 

When a loved one is in the hospital 
Whether it's your parent, child, spouse, grandparent, friend, or anyone else, having a loved one in the hospital is tough. As a loved one, there are often feelings of helplessness, disconnectedness, being overwhelmed, as well as depression. You want to be there and help your loved one as much as possible, but obstacles continue to present in your path. During the holiday season, these burdens often feel heavier. You are likely not celebrating the holidays the same way you did in the past while your loved one is in the hospital. Your loved one may not be feeling up to spending time with you as before.

There are a lot of unknowns and the daily life events continue to circle around like a whirlwind, often leaving people feeling unseen and overwhelmed.

Making the Best of it
The best thing that you can do for your loved one is to try to make the best of it. Even little things can have a huge impact on supporting your loved one in their health journey. Try to find time to spend with your loved one. Even if they are not up to or able to socialize, consider visiting them and reading a magazine or book by their side while they rest. Work on a craft for them, or write them a note. If they don’t mind the noise, watch a movie next to them, even if they fall asleep. This is the help your loved you will appreciate. Knowing their friends and families are supporting them. Consider hiring a private patient advocate for your loved one. This will allow you the time to spend with your loved one and not be wrapped up in all the hectic and tedious work of navigating their health journey. Let a private patient advocate take that burden away from you and your loved one, so that you can enjoy the available time together. If you are unfamiliar with how a private patient advocate can help, learn more here.  

Think of things you can modify to still celebrate the holidays with your loved one. Often, hospitals will allow special foods to be brought in and accommodate family and friends putting up decorations in rooms etc. Depending on the status of your loved one's health, you may also be able to leave the hospital with your loved one for a few hours, or at the very least, go outside or down to a recreational area or cafe. A new scenery is a great way to perk up someone's mood. 

Find time to Care for yourself
As a mom, I often get so wrapped up in caring for my children that I forget to take care of myself. As much as we hear that self-care is important, it's easy to push it on the back burner. To help and support others, it is important to stay healthy yourself. That means physical and mental health. 

Think of small things that you can do to help relax each day, stay active, and eat healthy. This will help support your mood and overall outlook on things. You will be best prepared to handle anything that comes your way. A private patient advocate can decrease your to-do list and offer you more time to practice self-care.  

Contact Pathway Patient Advocates, we would love to help you with your health for the holidays. 

Visit our website at https://pathwaypa.com/

Give us a call at (947) 517-8395 or email advocate@pathwaypa.com