Things You Should Know & Do

If you or your family member or friends are hospitalized:

In the case of a friend or family member, be there if possible, if not, have others look out for them on your behalf, especially if they are elderly or unable to speak or care for themselves.

Ask questions about medications and their side effects.

Provide necessary documents such as power of attorney, advance directive, trust or will for the hospital chart. Also, allow someone to speak on your behalf for emergency situations.

Ask questions about procedures or anything you are unsure about.

If you are a healthcare professional, it may be good not to reveal it. This is the best way to snare others if they are untrue about your hospital care.

Make sure personal care was given such as baths and mouth care.

Make unannounced visits and have family members relieve one another.

Consult with an insurance professional about in-patient care, benefits and coverage.

If things seem unclear or are not going right, follow your first instinct, it’s usually correct.

Follow up on all correspondence. Do not assume all is okay. Keep all originals documents.

At times you may need to assist your love one to get things done correct.

If you have small children or teenagers you should always have an adult present. With teenagers it’s okay to leave them for a short time to take care of errands.

This can be an overwhelming situation for teenagers and even some adults. They may need assistance understanding medical terms, forms and documents.

Make a small unnoticeable mark under the bedding/sheets to see if the bedding has been changed daily. Check the room for missing items or belongings.

Keep a personal journal of medications, procedures, physicians, nurses, staff and visitors. Jot down suggestions and comments or requests from staff, and note changes in procedures. This information may prove to be vital and helpful in the future. Remember in some cases it may take months or years to recover.

It is not like the old days where we had one primary physician overseeing your care. Today we have several different doctors and specialists. We all need to be aware of the changes for what, where, when and why.

Please make sure you document everything and keep a copy of all the paper work (especially the documents you signed) for future references.

A stroke is a brain injury and what seems to be normal may in fact not be. Looks can be deceiving. An injured person’s memory may come and go. In reality (the patient, regardless of injury or illness) may not remember something they said or how they said it. They may appear normal to those not in their presence on a daily basis to see the affects or impairment. So, please provide your support and if possible, do not become distant or turn away. Offer patience and understanding. Do not assume that by the look of the situation all is okay. This could happen to you.