Make Your Hospital Stay Feel More like Home
Overnight hospital stays can be draining for patients and their loved ones. Staying in the hospital over the holidays is especially tough on patients and visitors. But there are ways to bring a little bit of home and holiday spirit to patients while they get the care they need.
Sandy Espinal, CMC Customer Service Coordinator, says “We understand the hospital is never an ideal spot to spend any given day, but especially on the holidays. We want to do the best we can to make our patients, and your loved ones, feel more at ease.”
MAKE THE ROOM YOUR OWN
Sandy advises patients to maintain some sense of normalcy in their hospital space whenever possible. Fill your, or your loved one’s, room with little pieces of home. This could be…
- A favorite pillow
- Stuffed animals
- Hand cream
- Chargers
- Laptop or streaming device
- Books, Kindle
- Slippers
- Robe
- Headphones
- Socks
- Family Photos
- Games
- Blanket
The CMC Gift Shop has a variety of snacks, personal care items and gift selections for all ages and budgets.
BRING IN SOME HOLIDAY CHEER
If you are visiting a loved one, bring some of their favorite holiday traditions to them. Decorate their room with photos and memorabilia. Set up a small Christmas tree or menorah in their room. Offer emotional support. Gift them a stocking full of hospital necessities. Bring handwritten notes from loved ones in their life who may not be able to visit. Help them set up Facetime calls with family members who can’t come in person. Watch their favorite holiday movies with them. If their diet and nursing staff allow, cook their favorite holiday meal and eat it together. Do what you can to bring some holiday normalcy to the hospital without overwhelming the patient.
“Everyone has a story and a life outside the hospital full of loved ones and traditions” Sandy said. “Just like we want to get to know our patients, we want to get to know their story in order to make them feel more at home.” Sandy encourages patients and their loved ones to communicate with the hospital staff and let us know how we can make your stay more comfortable. Sandy adds, “We want to be part of your healing journey and bring joy whenever possible.”
The CMC Gift Shop delivers gifts to patients as well. If you’d like to order flowers, plants, balloons gift bundles, baby items or cards call 843-347-8341.
