Did you feel you were prepared for your hospital visit today? Not many people do. The focus of getting there, whether it is in an emergency or for an appointment, can easily end up with you in a muddle.
The Hospital Milestone
Attending hospital can often be stressful, more so if it is an emergency attendance perhaps like your visit today. You may have forgot some information, such as medication details, your GP details, it’s really quite common.
You may find it useful to write down what happened, though you could record yourself on video just as easily with your phone, tablet or computer. It’s not always the first thought in your head at this time, but there may be details lost that you forget at a later time, so the earlier the better.
This can also help the doctor or nurse when you are receiving treatment.
A Hospital attendance can often cause some of us to stop, think and reflect on life, our life choices, what matters to us and how things can change suddenly.
What if
- you live alone
- you have a dog
- you need to collect your kids
- you are in an accident
- you are a carer
Make sure you have details of an emergency contact on you at all times. Have this information in an obvious place at your home as well.
The emergency contact can be a family member, a friend or neighbour, a medical professional or even a social worker. Knowing someone else is readily contactable can be a weight off the mind, especially in the midst of an emergency.
Have a list of your regular routine activities handy, especially if you have a pet, pick up a relative, do chores for a neighbour or such like.
As a Carer
As a carer you could be attending the hospital in two possible scenarios, with your charge or for yourself. Sometimes being a carer can be all consuming and leave little time for yourself, this article offers some help and advice.
Always have the full details of the person you are caring for including a list of their medication, their medical information (GP/Social Worker details) and any other conditions they have. If you are a part time carer, have the details of the other carers readily available should you need to share them.
Always have an emergency kit-bag for an overnight stay, including all the medication the person you care for will need over a couple of days. Always make sure any medication is clearly labelled and dosages, including times and frequency is included. This will also help if you are the one going into hospital, as it would allow a friend or relative to use the bag in the immediate short-term whilst a new carer is organised.
Documents
Have all your documents (or for the person you care for) in one place, ideally a single storage box, in an easily accessible place. There are also ways to store through online platforms and apps that allow the data to be shareable with trusted contacts, see MySafeCare. This will make things easier should you need more details in relation to your hospital visit, as well as to be able to make any future plans.
Share this...
Latest Articles
World Alzheimer’s Month – Simple tips to reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s
Simple tips for reducing risk of alzheimer’s – World alzheimer’s Month
Read More
Pride and Stonewall
June is Pride Month! It’s a perfect time to reflect on the long history of resistance that led up to this month-long celebration of awareness and…
Read More
Going Green
To reduce our carbon footprint and help the planet, MySelfCare and BOE have joined the Chamber Low Carbon scheme. We’re on track for becoming greenhouse gas…
Read More
Could you have been more prepared?
Attending hospital can be stressful, more so if it is an emergency attendance perhaps like your visit today. At these times it can be quite easy to forget simple information such as any medication you are on, when you had a tetanus injection, the name and address of your GP practice and so on.
Are you having to (or did you have to) stay overnight? Did you have someone to help you at home? Do you have pets that need looking after?
You can’t always be ready for every eventuality, but you can help yourself by being better prepared.
Find out more here
News & Blog
View AllWorld Alzheimer’s Month – Simple tips to reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s
Simple tips for reducing risk of alzheimer’s – World alzheimer’s Month
Read More
Pride and Stonewall
June is Pride Month! It’s a perfect time to reflect on the long history of resistance that led up to this month-long celebration of awareness and…
Read More
Going Green
To reduce our carbon footprint and help the planet, MySelfCare and BOE have joined the Chamber Low Carbon scheme. We’re on track for becoming greenhouse gas…
Read More
What is Wellbeing?
NOUNwellbeing (noun) the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy – Oxford Dictionary definition Wellbeing, put simply, is about ‘how we are doing’ as individuals, communities and…
Read More