How to Comfort Someone When They're in the Hospital

"Being in the hospital can be scary. Research suggests that a more comfortable environment, like one with reduced noise and homelike touches, can affect a patient's sense of well-being. I asked experts for advice on how to make someone's hospital visit more pleasant.

Give them things that bring comfort. Ask your loved one for any requests; perhaps a favorite robe or a quilt, said Dr. Ada Offurum, medical director of the physician advisory group at the University of Maryland Medical Center. She also suggested a few items: a pair of slippers (with treads because floors can be slippery), earplugs and an eye mask. The air in a hospital is often very dry, so patients might appreciate hand lotion, face cream and lip balm, said Tami Minnier, a nurse and chief quality and operational excellence officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Ask if a pet can drop by. Some hospitals allow quick visits from four-legged friends, so ask about those policies, Ms. Minnier said. If pets aren't allowed, it might be possible to "put your mom or dad in a wheelchair and take them right outside" to see their companion, she said. Some hospitals offer pet therapy at no cost, she said, which has been shown to relieve anxiety.

Keep visits brief. Run the names of potential visitors by your loved one because they may not want their private matters discussed with someone they're not close to, Dr. Offurum said. And keep visits brief, said Ms. Minnier, unless the patient requests otherwise. She recommended 15-30 minutes. If the patient is mobile, willing and needs to build up strength, ask for a nurse's permission to take them on a brief walk.

Build anticipation. Finding things that a patient can look forward to can raise their spirits, said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, an assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing and president of the American Nurses Association. If you have family that live elsewhere, she said, arrange a chain of phone calls." [1]

1. Here to Help; How to Comfort Someone When They're in the Hospital: [Metropolitan Desk]. New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast); New York, N.Y.. 31 Dec 2023: A.3.   JANCEE DUNN