Senior Moments: Preparing in advance for a hospital stay eases burdens on family By Jackie Byrd
A column for seniors and those who love them
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You know, by the time you've reached my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. - Ronald Reagan, U.S. president
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There's a good chance your aging parent will require hospitalization at some point, especially if he or she has chronic health conditions. If your parent relies primarily on you for assistance, it's important to do some preparation in advance even if it's only thinking about what will happen.
Here is a list of things to bring with you to the hospital as you support your older parent in that situation. The list was provided by Legacy Home Care, and was written by Lisa M. Petsche, a medical social worker and freelance writer.
Be ready with the following paperwork to bring to the hospital: a list of current medications, prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as vitamins and other natural remedies and the dosage of each; health insurance information and a copy of any advance directive, living will or durable power of attorney.
Be prepared to provide nursing staff with an alternate contact person in case you're not available in an emergency. Provide as many phone numbers as possible - home, work, cell - to maximize the chances one of you can be reached in a hurry.
Keep a note pad and pen with you. It's wise to maintain a log of your parent's diagnoses, past and present medications and any adverse reactions, specialists consulted, hospitalizations and surgeries.
Clothing-wise, bring pajamas, a robe and nonskid slippers for nighttime. For daytime, provide comfortable clothing that's easy to put on, such as loose-fitting shirts, pants, skirts or dresses. If your parent will be participating in physical therapy, track suits and running shoes are advisable. Don't' forget socks and underwear.
The following grooming items will also be needed: soap, deodorant, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste or denture cleaner, comb or hairbrush, hand mirror and razor.
Don't forget to bring dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids and prostheses. Bring a denture cup and eyeglass or hearing aid case for proper storage, and label or engrave whatever belongings you can. If your parent uses a cane, walker or wheelchair, let staff know and be prepared to bring it in.
Also, there are things not to bring: For security reasons, discourage your relative from keeping anything of value - cash, identification or jewelry in the room. You might, however, wish to leave a few dollars to cover the cost of sundry items, such as newspapers or snacks.
Don't bring in prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies. Interactions with medications the hospital physician has prescribed could prove harmful. The same goes for alcohol.
Here are some tips for visiting: If your parent is in a shared room, limit visiting to a few people at a time and speak softly. Exercise good judgment when it comes to bringing children, and ensure adult supervision at all times.
Find out your parent's schedule and don't visit around therapy times unless you've been invited to participate or assist.
Consult with nursing staff before bringing in food or beverages in case dietary restrictions have been implemented.
If your parent is expected to remain in the hospital for more than a week, inquire about the availability of a parking pass. Take laundry home.
Effective communication with care providers is one of the most important issues when a loved one is in the hospital. Immediately find out who the coordinator is within the health care team. Usually, it's one of the nursing staff, known perhaps by a title such as case manager or primary nurse. This person will be your main contact.
Maintain good communication with other family members, keeping them up to date on your parent's status, activities and plans. You want to protect your nurse case manager from needing to spend time addressing the same questions from multiple family members. You want her to spend her time on actual care and plans for your parent. If necessary, you can set up conference calls or plan a family meeting.
If other disciplines, such as a physical therapist or speech language pathologist are involved, ask the care coordinator for their name and telephone extension so you can contact them directly if needed.
Write down key information provided during conversations and at care conferences. Request a layman's explanation if you don't understand medical jargon used. Always ask for clarification when you don't understand information or instructions.
When your parent is ready to leave the hospital, a good discharge plan involves the patient, family or significant others and health care providers. It addresses issues around medical management, activities of daily living (self-care and home management skills), mobility, safety and finances, as well as psychosocial needs.
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byrd@byrdandbyrd.com
