If you have a family member or a loved one who has recently had to go through treatments at a hospital, or even surgery, then it’s only natural that you might be worried about them. This might be especially the case if they’re older or have pre-existing health problems that might make them more vulnerable. Simply sitting around in your worry is doing you no good, however. It might be worth thinking about what steps you can take to not only provide real help but to feel less helpless yourself.
Communicate WIth Their Healthcare Providers
If your loved one is fine with you representing them and being part of their healthcare journey, you can get a lot of reassurance and support by staying in touch with doctors, nurses, and the healthcare specialists they work with. You can clear up a lot of doubt by asking for a summary of their treatment, follow-up appointments, recovery goals, and aftercare you can help with. Keeping copies of discharge notes and medication lists can help you feel more on top of their recovery.
Ensure They Get The Care They Need
Your loved one might be happy to get out of the hospital, but that might not mean that leaving them alone is the wisest thing to do, just yet. If you’re able to stay with them, then being around might offer peace of mind for you and the support they need, even if they don’t know it yet. However, if that’s not possible, support in the form of services like a convalescent home can be greatly reassuring. This way, you can make sure that their recovery is being carefully supported, especially if they’re coming out of major surgery or have a long recovery ahead of them.
Addressing The Emotional Impact
Hospital experiences can leave emotional scars on top of the physical ones. Take the time to talk to your loved one about how they’re feeling and monitor their mental health. If they’re feeling anxious, depressed, or fatigued, you can help them steadily recover through gentle social interactions, daily routines you can share together, or even recommend someone for them to talk to. Emotional recovery takes time and compassion.
Help Them Seek Accountability
If your loved one was injured due to the negligence or actions of someone else, whether in the workplace, by a carer, or otherwise, then holding the responsible party accountable can offer a sense of justice and closure. As such, helping them find a personal injury lawyer and working with them to prepare their case can do a lot of good. However, it’s important to do this only if they’re willing to press forward. Pressuring them into it can only end up causing them more stress in the end.
An injury or serious health problem can be a more traumatic event than many of us recognise, initially. Take your time to address how it has really affected you, and make sure that you’re there for your loved one above all else.