A hospital stay is stressful for anyone, but it can be especially hard on a child too young to understand why they hurt or a teenager old enough to be implicated about their own mortality. However, friends and house can help ease the strain and boredom of a young person's time in the hospital in a range of ways.
The answers to these questions will tell you if the child is in a restricted passage area, such as an arduous care unit, what times of the day the child feels best or is most alert, and if there are any limitations on how the child can play and what he or she can eat.
Armed with this information, the next step in creating a much-needed diversion from the hospital habit can be targeted by considering the child's age and interests.
Choosing the right gift
In general, any gifts should be small (easy to put away or pack to take home), quiet (no clanging that might disturb other sick children) and inexpensive (so the parents do not worry about holding track of an costly new toy in addition to caring for their child).
Good at any age, and free, are messages from classmates, house and neighbors. Most hospitals now host an online message assistance that allows population to send email to a patient. The messages are normally printed out and delivered by hand, sometimes by volunteers who are trained to furnish a kindly chat if the sick person desires.
Be sure your message includes news about what is going on in the neighborhood, on the basketball team or in class. Children enjoy hearing what is happening covering their hospital room. Teenagers especially may feel isolated and out of touch with friends and school during long absences so a newsy letter helps.
You can also volunteer to accumulate well wishes from classmates, neighbors and teammates and deliver one giant card or poster to the room.
Consider age and hobbies
When choosing gifts, be sure to consider what is appropriate for the child's age as well as their hobbies and after-school activities. For instance, a set of small cars may be fun for a 5-year-old boy while a 15-year-old would probably prefer a choice of car magazines.
Music helps distract and sooth all ages. A teenager with an iPod may appreciate some new tunes, while a toddler may enjoy a singing doll or a musical toy (just so long it is not a loud one).
A snack basket may furnish a welcome relief from institutional food and much needed power for busy parents, but be sure the sick person is not on a restricted diet.
Other widely appreciated items comprise magazines, books, audio books, pajamas, art supplies and small craft projects.
Schedule a visit
Depending on the patient, maybe the best way to help a hospitalized child is to visit. The friendly, well-known face of a neighbor can help a child pass the time, give parents a much-needed break, and distract the child from pain, loneliness and boredom. A small group of the child's friends might bring in pizza and a game, especially if the sick person is hospitalized during a holiday or their birthday.
Remember to tailor the gift, whether a gift of time or a toy, to the child's health restrictions and interests, and both the sick person and parents will be grateful for your effort.
How to Help a Kid in the Hospital
