a parents · ★ a doll or teddy ★ a medical kit (this may be made out of a cardboard box) ★...

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Hospitalisation

To

A Parents

Guide

What are the effects of hospitalisation on children, young people & their families?for children

★ Concerned about being separated from their parents

★ Fear separation, seeing it as rejection

★ Fear pain

★ Wonder what is going to happen to them

★ Be worried about their bodies not working correctly and not being like other kids

★ Not understand how something that hurts can actually help them get well

★ Be afraid of being left in hospital

★ Regress – suck thumb, wet bed, want bottle

★ Not want to eat, become tearful or want to be with their parents at all times

★ Bottle up their feelings and cry with relief when they see their parents

for young people

★ Change in routine and sleep patterns

★ Diet and mobility restrictions

★ Time away from school, sports and activities

★ Separation from peers and caregivers

★ Unfamiliar environment and people

★ Feeling homesick

★ Loss of independence and privacy

apprehensive

angry

helpless

worried

distressed

afraid

lonelyfamilies may feel:

don’t be afraid to ask questions. an informed parent is a helpful parent.questions you may Wish to ask your doctor or hospital staff:

About the hospital

★ Are there any information booklets or pre-admission tours of the hospital or ward given?

★ What are the visiting hours? What time is rest period or bedtime?

★ What time are meals or snacks served? Where? Is there a choice of menu?

★ Can brothers, sisters and other relatives and friends of my child visit?

★ Are there child minding facilities for siblings?

★ Are there any play facilities, play staff, hospital toys, books and education facilities for older children?

About your child’s medical procedure

★ What the procedure involves and how long will the operation last?

★ May I stay whilst pre-med is given? (This is the medication sometimes given to relax a child before going to theatre).

★ May I accompany my child for the induction of anaesthesia and stay until he/she is asleep?

★ May I be with my child when he/she awakes in the recovery room?

★ How long will my child be in hospital? What are the plans for discharge and follow up?

★ What post-operative treatment will be needed? Who can I call if I need help at home?

About the hospital stay

★ What to take to hospital?

★ Can my child wear his/her own pyjamas? Can my child bring his/her own special toys? (All personal belongings should be marked with your child’s name)

★ Will he/she be in a cot or a bed? Will he/she be confined to a bed in the daytime?

★ How many children will be in the ward and what age range?

★ Are there rooming-in facilities for parents? Cost? Are meals provided for parents?

★ What I can or can’t do for my child while in hospital?

★ What time are doctors’ ward rounds? Will the doctor be available for information other than at the ward round?

If you know what to expect then you can prepare your child!

hoW can you prepare your child for a hospital visit?tips:

★ Read stories and encourage play about hospitals to help your child express feelings and feel more in control

★ Give information to your child a little at a time – older children require more detail – younger children less

★ Explain to your child that anaesthesia is not exactly like sleep – they will not be disturbed by pain or procedures under anaesthesia

★ Allow your child to make decisions in relation to their care as often as possible eg simple ones such as which bandaid would you like?

★ Encourage your child to ask questions, to talk about how they feel and take part in a tour of the hospital

★ Be supportive and encouraging, make positive comments about your child’s efforts, in order to build confidence

★ Explain each separation from you as it comes up and tell your child it is ok to cry ★ Build up trust – always tell your child when you are leaving and when you will be back

★ Prepare brothers and sisters

★ You will need to prepare in the same way whether the hospital visit is for one day or a month

Things that can have an influence on your child’s hospitalisation experience

★ Previous medical experience

★ Developmental status of your child

★ Parent-child interaction

★ Seriousness of the illness

★ Severity of the medical procedure

★ Coping style of your child

Minimise the effects

of hospitalisation on your child by preparing them

in advance

medical play at homeWhat is medical play?

Medical play is a kind of play where your child acts out medical procedures, is allowed to play at being the doctor, nurse or patient, is in control of what is happening and allows your child emotional release of anger, fear and anxiety.

medical play helps your child:

★ experience less fear and anxiety before, during and after hospitalisation,

★ understand treatment procedures and what may happen at the hospital,

★ cope with fear and pain by giving him/her the opportunity of being the person in control, and

★ recover emotionally after hospitalisation.

hoW do i provide medical play?

You will need:

★ A doll or teddy

★ A medical kit (this may be made out of a cardboard box)

★ Strips of cloth for bandages, an eye patch, sticking plasters, cotton wool, medicine cup

★ Toy stethoscope (this can be made out of empty cotton reels, a plastic cup and a long piece of string)

★ Any other materials that will stimulate medical play

Allow your child to play at being doctor, nurse or patient. Talk to your child about hospitalisation so that he/she can ask questions and gain an understanding of hospitalisation.

Ask AWCH about ideas for medical play using calico dolls.

Medical play is beneficial to your child before and

after hospitalisation.

the rights of every child

Let everyone know these are

the rights of every child in health care

tips for preparing adolescents for hospitalisation.hoW to help your adolescent

★ Talk to your adolescent as soon as you plan for admission (it is important to give them enough time to process the information, but not too much time to allow for misconceptions to develop)

★ Talk openly, honestly. Teens are more likely to maintain a trusting relationship if they feel included in the experience and part of the decision making process.

★ Establish open communication so your adolescent may ask questions about a procedure or hospitalization

★ Talk with them about ways to share the upcoming hospital stay with peers

★ Encourage them to help with packing their belongings to be sure favorite items are included (e.g., pillow, slippers, books, music, games, laptop)

★ Create a plan for consistent caregivers (make a schedule of who can be at the hospital at different periods of time)

★ Communicate with your adolescent’s teachers about ways to keep up with school work (hospital school teachers may be available depending on your child’s expected length of stay)

★ Provide an opportunity for them to participate in health care - encourage questions and taking part in decision making.

★ Plan ways for them to keep in touch with peers

reactions to health care settings or medical procedures

Teens are developing an increasing sense of self-identity and need for privacy. They struggle with conflicts between dependence and independence. They desire information about their health care needs and should be talked to directly about their concerns. Validation of fears or concerns about medical procedures will assist in promoting a sense of self-esteem. Increasing changes in their bodies lead to concern about body image, and a need for peer contact and acceptance. Changes in behaviour may occur with hospitalization such as aggression, isolation, opposition to authority, withdrawal and fatigue.

Text courtesy: Mattel Children’s Hospital

Teens are more likely to maintain a trusting relationship if they feel included

in the experience and part of the decision making process.

tips for preparing adolescents for hospitalisation.preparing yourself and your teen:

As a parent, you should ask for a complete explanation of the procedure your child will undergo and the role that you could take in supporting your teen. Ask your teen what they understand, and clarify any misconceptions. Offer your child the opportunity to talk to health care professionals alone. Allowing your teen to discuss concerns about health issues privately will promote self-confidence and a greater comfort level with professionals.

Tell your teen:

★ It’s important to ask questions about any physical changes that may be visible after a surgery (stitches, bandages, casts or orthopedic devices)

★ What choices may be available

★ How they can maintain contact with other family members and peers during their hospital stay (phone calls, visits, mail, etc)

ideas for helping your teen cope:

Sensory

★ Music

★ Handholding

★ Movies

★ Squeezing a hand, putty or pillow

★ Support from a friend

Cognitive or behavioural

★ Deep breathing

★ Hand-held games

★ Magazines/books

★ Drawing or journal writing

Imagery

★ Going on a trip

★ Conversation about a fun topic

★ Visualize a favourite place or activity

Text courtesy: Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

getting connected. transition from children’s to adult health services.

Emma’s StoryMy name is Emma and I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 4 years of age. I received treatment at the children’s and adolescent units of the Children’s Hospital where there was support available to hep me manage and understand my condition, and I could mix with other people of my own age.

I left the Children’s Hospital when I turned 18, and all of a sudden I didn’t know where to go for ‘adult’ treatment. There was no unit which catered for young adults, and no database listing health professionals available. I went without treatment for over a year trying (by trial and error) to find a medical professional who understood the needs of my age group. There were many times when I felt like giving up and just trying to look after myself. I felt very isolated, and as though nobody really cared. But I didn’t give up, and I have now found a health professional who suits me.

As a result of my experience, I have been motivated to become a consumer participant on the Greater Metropolitan Consumer Taskforce, so that hopefully I can help others have an easier transition.

What is transition care?

As a child becomes an adult they outgrow the expertise of children’s health services and need to find adult health providers. Health professionals discuss “transition” to prepare a young person for care in this adult setting.

Transition takes time. Clinicians and parents should start to bring up the topic of transition with young people in early adolescence so they are well prepared by the time they move to adult health services, usually between the ages of 16 to 18 years.

the aci transition care netWork

The ACI Transition Care Network exists to improve the systems and processes for young people with chronic health problems and disabilities to facilitate their effective transition from paediatric to adult health services, and to provide support and advice on transition planning for young people, their parents and health care professionals.

Find out more about the ACI Transition Care Network visit http://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/transition-care.

The Hospital Ward Grandparent SchemeWard Grandparent Volunteers support parents and families who may be unable to stay with or visit their hospitalised child regularly or who may need extra support during their child’s hospitalisation.

Hospital Ward Grandparent volunteers are highly valued by parents and hospitals.

They can make a real difference to the emotional side of healing by just ‘being there’ for the child when parents cannot.

Want More Information?

Ask your hospital if the scheme is available or visit our website www.awch.org.au and download a brochure.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU CAN’T BE WITH YOUR CHILD?

Having a child in hospital places families under signifi cant pressure.

Parents may struggle to maintain regular visits due to responsibilities for their other children as well as their work commitments.

Parents may live a long way from the hospital and must return home to look after the rest of the family or parents may be hospitalised, disabled or ill.

Photographer: Ian Hitchcock for North Queensland Combined Womens Service Inc.

aWch child health library

You can borrow books, DVDs or ask AWCH to search for information about any child health topic. Visit awch.org.au and click on the AWCH Library link on the homepage.

aWch youtube channel

Watch videos on our youtube channel.

youtube.com/AWCH4KIDS. Topics include:

• Preparing your child for hospital

• Preparing your child for surgery

• Preparing your child for anaesthesia

• Medical play

other resources

Take a virtual tour of the operating theatres at

Sydney Children’s Hospital

www.sch.edu.au

Learn more about the Ward Grandparent Scheme

awch.org.au/hostpital-ward-grandparent-scheme.php

Children’s painful procedures and operations - how can parents help

kidshealth.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets/things-you-can-do

need more information?

useful links

Go to our website for videos, books and links

www.awch.org.au

Scan a QR code to go straight to the site from your smartphone or tablet!

a parents · ★ a doll or teddy ★ a medical kit (this may be made out of a cardboard box) ★...

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