Loved One in Hospital-Do You Spend Night?
- Thread starter DisneyMomOK
- Start date
The Mystery Machine
Sunrise at my house. :+)
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2001
Of course you stay with children.
As far as adults, it would depend on the situation.
As far as adults, it would depend on the situation.
Keli
<font color=darkcoral>We're smarter than the avera
- Joined
- Oct 27, 1999
At our local hospital (the one I'm most familiar with) I would stay the night if it were my dh or my dd hospitalized because I know the nursing appreciates your help in caring for the sick individual.
That is assuming they weren't in ICU or CCU, in those cases you cannot spend the night but they have a very low nurse to patient ratio in those departments so they are in good hands anyway.
The rooms are almost all private rooms now (they have been converting semi private to private for the last decade and very few semi private rooms remain now) which makes a big difference too.
With my parents and my Inlaws, or any other family member I would only stay if requested or if they were terminal. I would be too afraid I was imposing my help on them otherwise.
That is assuming they weren't in ICU or CCU, in those cases you cannot spend the night but they have a very low nurse to patient ratio in those departments so they are in good hands anyway.
The rooms are almost all private rooms now (they have been converting semi private to private for the last decade and very few semi private rooms remain now) which makes a big difference too.
With my parents and my Inlaws, or any other family member I would only stay if requested or if they were terminal. I would be too afraid I was imposing my help on them otherwise.
fan_of_small_world
<font color=3333FF>I have never seen the Tiki Room
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2006
You poor thing!!
arminnie
<font color=blue>Tossed the butter kept the gin<br
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2003
Wow - I guess this is another one of those regional differences.
When my dad had his knee replacement surgery 4 years ago I asked his surgeon if someone needed to stay with him. His answer "If it was my dad I would stay." So my sister and I alternated being with him.
When my mother had surgery 30 years ago someone spent the night each night so she would have help available.
When I had my gallbladder out - my dad and sister were incapacitated so my best friend came and stayed in the room overnight.
When my mother was terminally ill with cancer and in and out of the hospital we hired staff to stay with her around the clock in the hospital - a personal care assistant.
In perfect world the hospital staff would provide adequate care, but with the terrible nursing and other staff shortages it is can really help the patient to have someone available to be their advocate and to be immediately available.
The hospital rooms here all have chairs that make into beds for someone who wants to stay. The person staying is there to help provide care not just in case they might die.
Now when I had several major surgeries in California I had no one stay with me, but the nursing coverage was much better. If I rang for a nurse I never had to wait an hour or two like here. Please understand that I am not knocking the nurses - everyone I've seen was so overworked and just trying to cope with about 10 must do activities at once. There just weren't enough of them.
When my dad had his knee replacement surgery 4 years ago I asked his surgeon if someone needed to stay with him. His answer "If it was my dad I would stay." So my sister and I alternated being with him.
When my mother had surgery 30 years ago someone spent the night each night so she would have help available.
When I had my gallbladder out - my dad and sister were incapacitated so my best friend came and stayed in the room overnight.
When my mother was terminally ill with cancer and in and out of the hospital we hired staff to stay with her around the clock in the hospital - a personal care assistant.
In perfect world the hospital staff would provide adequate care, but with the terrible nursing and other staff shortages it is can really help the patient to have someone available to be their advocate and to be immediately available.
The hospital rooms here all have chairs that make into beds for someone who wants to stay. The person staying is there to help provide care not just in case they might die.
Now when I had several major surgeries in California I had no one stay with me, but the nursing coverage was much better. If I rang for a nurse I never had to wait an hour or two like here. Please understand that I am not knocking the nurses - everyone I've seen was so overworked and just trying to cope with about 10 must do activities at once. There just weren't enough of them.
anewvance
<font color=red>Who needs a birthday for birthday
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2001
My dh has always stayed with me after my kids were born, every night until I was released. When ds was in the hospital for rotovirus, I stayed all 3 nights with him.
When my grandfather was in the hospital, even before we had any idea he'd actually pass away, my grandmother stayed with him because she was worried about his breathing.
When my grandfather was in the hospital, even before we had any idea he'd actually pass away, my grandmother stayed with him because she was worried about his breathing.
If I had a child hospitalized or someone in critical, probably won't make it through the night condition, I would stay, otherwise no.
I have had surgery and no one spent the night, as has DH. Frankly, I'm usually kind of glad when visitors go home, so I can get some rest. I can't imagine the hospital letting someone spend the night if it wasn't a deathly emergency.
I have had surgery and no one spent the night, as has DH. Frankly, I'm usually kind of glad when visitors go home, so I can get some rest. I can't imagine the hospital letting someone spend the night if it wasn't a deathly emergency.
When my DD13 was a baby, she was in the hospital for a week. Of course, my DH and I both stayed with her, private room.
When my mother had a stroke, she was in a coma and in the hospital for about two weeks before we brought her home for hospice. At first, she was in not ICU but a step down from that, can't remember what they called it. Two of us stayed with her around the clock at all times. No way was I leaving her with her not knowing what was going on. Then when they put her in a regular room before sending her home, we still stayed with her, private room. The nurses were great to us, too. The regular room had a chair/bed thing in it; but since there were two of us, if a room around us was empty, they would let one of us stay in there. We had really wonderful, caring nurses at that hospital.
Heather
When my mother had a stroke, she was in a coma and in the hospital for about two weeks before we brought her home for hospice. At first, she was in not ICU but a step down from that, can't remember what they called it. Two of us stayed with her around the clock at all times. No way was I leaving her with her not knowing what was going on. Then when they put her in a regular room before sending her home, we still stayed with her, private room. The nurses were great to us, too. The regular room had a chair/bed thing in it; but since there were two of us, if a room around us was empty, they would let one of us stay in there. We had really wonderful, caring nurses at that hospital.
Heather
powellrj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2003
when I had my 3 c-sections nobody spent the night with me nor when I had my knee replaced a couple of months ago.
I have to say my night nurse was wonderful when I had my knee replaced,so I felt very comfortable staying alone. During the day was a whole different story. I asked that someone stay with me the whole time during the day because without family help, I was lost. I needed help and had to rely on family to help.
I have to say my night nurse was wonderful when I had my knee replaced,so I felt very comfortable staying alone. During the day was a whole different story. I asked that someone stay with me the whole time during the day because without family help, I was lost. I needed help and had to rely on family to help.
Disney Doll
DIS Security Matron
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2000
With a child, I would always stay...especially a young child. Maybe if it was a teenager and what they were in the hospital wasn't too serious I might consider going home at night, but it would depend on the kid too.
For an adult, the answer is really "it depends". If they were fairly ill, I'd stay. If they were older, I'd stay because I have seen so many elderly people get very confused in the hospital and sometimes a familiar person is enough ot keep them grounded. If they had any difficulty with walking/mobility, I'd stay because realistically the nusres are not always going to be able to get there within moments after your loved one calls to use the bathroom and many folks will attempt to go themselves and fall.
As a nurse I will tell you that in general we don't mind people staying, at least not where I work, but it does become more difficult in a semi-private room, because like it or not, you do have the other patient's feelings to consider and some folks do not want a stranger sleeping in their room, especially if it's a spouse thing, so the person staying in the room would also be of the opposite sex. Plus you have the whole space issue...hospital rooms are generally not known to be among the most spacious of abodes. The hospital I work at is going to renovate to make all rooms private, which should make things better. Also, if you are staying the night, remember that I am not there to take care of you. I will be happy to get you blankets, pillows and the like, I'll even do toothpaste, toothbrush, but it is a hospital not a hotel. I am not there to get you coffee and make you toast, especially if I don't have time. I will certainly offer if I do have time (I'm not as much of a witch as people think I am!
), but if I am busy with patient care, then the sleeping-over visitors are on their own. I also prefer you not remind me every 5 minutes that "Mom has not been washed yet" when it's 815AM. There are 32 patients on my unit, and they will not all be washed by 8AM. Mom will get washed at some point today, preferably in the morning, but she's not going anywhere, so if it's 10AM before she gets washed, I think Mom will survive.
For an adult, the answer is really "it depends". If they were fairly ill, I'd stay. If they were older, I'd stay because I have seen so many elderly people get very confused in the hospital and sometimes a familiar person is enough ot keep them grounded. If they had any difficulty with walking/mobility, I'd stay because realistically the nusres are not always going to be able to get there within moments after your loved one calls to use the bathroom and many folks will attempt to go themselves and fall.
As a nurse I will tell you that in general we don't mind people staying, at least not where I work, but it does become more difficult in a semi-private room, because like it or not, you do have the other patient's feelings to consider and some folks do not want a stranger sleeping in their room, especially if it's a spouse thing, so the person staying in the room would also be of the opposite sex. Plus you have the whole space issue...hospital rooms are generally not known to be among the most spacious of abodes. The hospital I work at is going to renovate to make all rooms private, which should make things better. Also, if you are staying the night, remember that I am not there to take care of you. I will be happy to get you blankets, pillows and the like, I'll even do toothpaste, toothbrush, but it is a hospital not a hotel. I am not there to get you coffee and make you toast, especially if I don't have time. I will certainly offer if I do have time (I'm not as much of a witch as people think I am!
), but if I am busy with patient care, then the sleeping-over visitors are on their own. I also prefer you not remind me every 5 minutes that "Mom has not been washed yet" when it's 815AM. There are 32 patients on my unit, and they will not all be washed by 8AM. Mom will get washed at some point today, preferably in the morning, but she's not going anywhere, so if it's 10AM before she gets washed, I think Mom will survive.
The Mystery Machine
Sunrise at my house. :+)
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2001
UrsulasShadow
<marquee><img src=http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/dat
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
I also believe it's acceptable to stay overnight if it's a child who's hospitalized, or death is imminent. Also, if you have a private room, and policy allows, it should be up to the patient.
I think it's terribly inconsiderate under any other circumstances to allow visitors past visiting hours.
I think it's terribly inconsiderate under any other circumstances to allow visitors past visiting hours.
NEVERENOUGHWDW
<font color=blue>Still Missing 20,000 Leagues Unde
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2007
That is why I ONLY stay in private rooms!!!!
RayaniFoxmur
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2006
I feel the same way. I only stay in private rooms... I don't feel comfortable with myself to share a room with anyone!My Mom stayed every night w/me when I was hospitalized w/ pre-term labor for 3 1/2 weeks.. She completely set up camp. I literally could not even more side to side or anything and my bed was tilted back as far as it would go so I was in essence close to being upside down. In this position I could not do anything for myself. I could not reach my food, my drink etc. There was no way the nurses were going to be available as much as I needed them so she moved in. My sister, who is a Dr., taught my Mom how to read all of the monitors. The nurses were very glad she was there to free them up from the mundane stuff.
When DH had a heart attack I got to spend the 1st night in the ICU w/him. Again, on morphine, I was the only one that could calm him down.
When he had open heart surgery I did not becasue that hospital was very strict and it was a no go.
When DH had a heart attack I got to spend the 1st night in the ICU w/him. Again, on morphine, I was the only one that could calm him down.
When he had open heart surgery I did not becasue that hospital was very strict and it was a no go.
I would only spend the night if one of my DDs was in the hospital or if my parent or Dh was dying. All else I would get home at a decent time and get out of the nurses way. It would be a mad house if everyone in our hospital a someone else with them and spent the night.
princesspumpkin
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2004
At my hospital, lots of dads want to spend the night with their wives and new baby to help take care of the both of them. What usually ends up happening is that the baby disturbs their sleep and ends up going to the nursery so the parents can rest. Then dad gets upset because I keep coming in to check on wifey, and wifey shushes me because I keep disturbing daddy
I'm all for family members staying to help out. But rarely do I see the family member actually helping. If mom and dad do keep the baby with them, they call me to help them
No problem, that's my job! Which is why I tell them that they don't really need to stay, but if it makes them feel better, then go for it!
I'm all for family members staying to help out. But rarely do I see the family member actually helping. If mom and dad do keep the baby with them, they call me to help them
No problem, that's my job! Which is why I tell them that they don't really need to stay, but if it makes them feel better, then go for it!
NotUrsula
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2002
In all but the most minor situations, it is expected where I live that one person will stay with the patient 24/7 to function as a watcher. I've got lots of medical personnel in my family, and every single one of them would tell you that someone needs to stay. The nursing staff is overworked, and an individual who is medicated often cannot effectively call for help if something goes wrong. I remember that when my father was hospitalized for cancer treatment, my mother was there to call the nurse when his roommate suddenly started choking in the night -- his wife had gone home to do laundry; she and my Mom took turns leaving so that the patients were never in the room alone. (Mom slept during the day when other family members came in to do a shift.)
If there is a roommate in the situation there is a certain etiquette to staying. The curtain between the beds stays pulled; the TV and lights are not left on when the other person is sleeping (and the volume stays down at all times), you ALWAYS step out of the room when medical personnel are there for the other person, and actually most of the time when your own patient is being treated, so as not to get in the way. If another visitor comes you go out into the hall to keep the volume down. If you are going to sleep (which you really should not do--being alert when the patient cannot be is the whole point) you should pull your chair out into the hall if you snore. If the roommate asks for minor help (pulling the curtains, pouring some water, etc.) you give it.
If there is a roommate in the situation there is a certain etiquette to staying. The curtain between the beds stays pulled; the TV and lights are not left on when the other person is sleeping (and the volume stays down at all times), you ALWAYS step out of the room when medical personnel are there for the other person, and actually most of the time when your own patient is being treated, so as not to get in the way. If another visitor comes you go out into the hall to keep the volume down. If you are going to sleep (which you really should not do--being alert when the patient cannot be is the whole point) you should pull your chair out into the hall if you snore. If the roommate asks for minor help (pulling the curtains, pouring some water, etc.) you give it.
meandtheguys2
<font color=red>Did not need to resort to hissy fi
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2004
Hospitals screw up way too often for a patient not to have an advocate available if they are not fully aware.
Share this page
-
Walt Disney World Bounce Back Offer Can Save You 25% to 35%!
-
Tokyo Disneyland to Replace Buzz Lightyear with Wreck-It Ralph Attraction
-
Does Anyone Have Disney Jollywood Nights 2024 Predictions?
-
Top 4 Reasons to Stay at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
-
A Brief History Of Disney: Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds
GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
