How to Care for Families in the Hospital

Each time my son has to spend time in the hospital, I’m overwhelmed in the best possible way by the sweet gestures of care and concern we humbly receive. I’ve written before about caring for families in the hospital, but I want to add some new ideas based on what people did for us this time around.

Daily Gift

If I had to point to the one thing that was most helpful for our son it would be this- opening one wrapped gift each day he was hospitalized. Friends from church got together and bought/made gifts that he could use and enjoy in his hospital bed. The gifts included books, a crocodile dentist game, silly stick on mustaches, lots of Hot Wheels, and even a DIY Lego case and easy Lego set. We intentionally told him about the gifts beforehand and he couldn’t wait to open them! When someone would ask how he was feeling about surgery, he would say ‘Good because I get to open my gifts!’ It was an amazing distraction. I know this won’t be the case for everyone, but it sure helped us.

Family Board Games

Going into surgery you have to be feeling 100% well, so we quarantined our family for a few weeks before the big day to help prevent against picking up germs. My sweet friend gave us some of her family’s favorite board games to help fill our days.

*CLICK HERE FOR OUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE BOARD GAMES! – JULIE*

Family Photo Session

Pay for or set up a photo session for updated family pictures. We did this and I know I will treasure the photos for years to come.

Take a Meal

Pre-op appointments can be long and scary. Consider taking them a meal on those days.

*CLICK HERE FOR MY FAVORITE MEAL TO TAKE TO FAMILIES IN NEED! – JULIE*

Restaurant Gift Cards

Friends purchased hospital cafeteria and coffee shop gift cards, as well as gift cards to restaurants around the hospital and gave them to us before we left. It was so nice to know we had those to use for food and treats.

Sibling Surprises

Think about what siblings or children might need. Our older children were given personalized drawstring bags filled with goodies to tote to the hospital or play with at the Ronald McDonald House. They were well stocked with tissues, hand sanitizer, gum, card games, books, and sweatshirts.

Encourage Support

Also, encourage the family to utilize the hospital’s child life specialist, if available. Our hospital had someone whose job it was to help not only my son cope with his anxieties, but alleviate the fears of his sister and brother. She created a doll that gave them a preview of what he might look like when they saw him post-surgery. It was so helpful and we still look at the doll as we’re processing the experience.

Hospital Gown Fun

My son hates the gowns at the hospital. Enter Gracie’s Gowns. This amazing company sends personalized, adorable, custom sized gowns to children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. We loved this football gown made especially for our boy!

For the Mama

Purchase a gift card to a favorite clothing store or purchase clothes you know they will like and/or need. A friend got me a Loft gift card and I bought a comfy pair of cute sweatpants for the chilly nights at my son’s bedside. Other friends chipped in to buy an outfit and warm cardigan that I wore the day of his surgery. I loved that they knew my style well enough to buy something for me, and more importantly, that they were thinking of my needs as I catered to my son’s needs.

In addition to clothes, friends spoiled me with many sweet gifts. These gifts would be helpful for a patient or the mom and dad of a patient:

• Snuggly blanket
• Warm socks
• Magazines
• Books (even silly ones to take their mind off things)
• A devotional
• A nice notebook for taking notes
• Water bottle
• Tea
• Favorite treats/candy
• Coloring book and colored pencils
• Wireless headphones

Your Time

Every gift we received was so appreciated, but one gift really stood out to us; it was the gift of our friends’ time. A dear friend took time off work and booked a hotel near the hospital so he could be on call for whatever we needed. He sat with our son in the waiting room while we signed consent forms (one of the hardest parts of the process for me personally), kept us company during the actual surgery, prayed with us, ran to the cafeteria for water and snacks, and picked up tissues and medicines when we were coming down with a cold. He was around when we wanted him to be and not when we didn’t. My parents and another good friend booked an Airbnb and took our older kids on fun adventures around town while my husband and I stayed next to our son at the hospital in those critical first few days post-op.

I’m holding back tears as I recount the kindness of these acts. I know this isn’t possible for everyone, but look for ways to do this in whatever way works for you. A call, a text, an email saying you’re thinking of them. Your time is one of the greatest gifts you can give.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAUREEN, FOR SHARING THESE CREATIVE AND PRECIOUS IDEAS.

I know they are going to make a difference in a lot of people’s lives. Don’t forget to check out Take Them a Meal for more tips and encouragement on how to be a blessing to others.

Joyfully,

Julie 🙂