Hospitalization
A hospital stay can mean new and sometimes frightening experiences for a child. While each child is unique and reacts differently to hospitalization, helping a child understand what to expect may help make the hospital experience less stressful.
The best way to prepare a child for a hospital stay is to talk about what will happen before admission in words the child can understand. How parents describe the event can affect a child’s attitude during the hospital stay. Parent and child can pack together for the hospital stay and include a favorite toy; the entire family should be included in a pre-hospital discussion. It is a good idea for parents to borrow a library book that describes a hospital stay and read it with the child.
A child’s questions should always be answered simply and honestly. When to bring up the subject of hospitalization varies according to the age of the child. For example, a youngster under age three should be told just a few days before admission, whereas teens should have at least a week’s notice.
If the child does not talk about the upcoming hospitalization, the parent should start casual conversations about the event, especially if the child does not ask specific questions. This gives the child a chance to express feelings about being hospitalized. It is important to explain clearly to a child the need for the hospitalization honestly. In addition, the child needs to know that there will be doctors and nurses at the hospital, and that the parent will make regular visits and spend the night whenever possible. (Many hospitals allow parents to stay overnight.)
It is important that children understand what to expect ahead of time. With guidance from the child’s doctor, parents can explain how things will feel, whether there will be pain, how long it will last, and that crying is a healthy way to express feelings.
Parents should clearly discuss any potential changes in the child’s appearance, such as a scar or cast. Because the child’s friends may not know what to say, the child should explain to them what happened. When a discharge date is given, the parent and child can discuss what they will do together afterward. No matter how tempting, parents should avoid telling a child things that are not true. If procedures will hurt, parents should say so.
If surgery is planned, parents should discuss how the child can expect to feel after an operation, emphasizing that the hospital stay is only temporary.
Younger Than Age Three
At this age, a child’s greatest worry is usually being away from parents. Being with a child as much as possible during the hospital stay will make the child feel more secure. Younger children (especially those under age three) often think of hospitalization as a punishment for misbehavior. Parents should encourage a child to express fears and concerns and explain clearly why the hospital stay is necessary.
Ages Four to Six
Children in this age group fear damage to their bodies, so parents need to be careful when explaining what will take place, avoiding phrases that a child may misconstrue. For example, parents should never describe anesthesia as “being put to sleep,” especially if a child may associate being put to sleep with an experience with a pet, assuming it means death. Instead, parents should tell children that the doctors will help a child take a nap for a few hours. When talking about surgery, parents should use terms such as “make an opening” instead of “cut.”
Ages Six to 12
Children older than six will worry about losing control as well as the potential damage to their bodies. Older children may also worry about doing or saying embarrassing things while under anesthesia. Parents should not deny that there will be pain after an operation, if this is the case, but explain that the pain will be temporary and the child will be made to feel as comfortable as possible.
Teenagers
Parents should not assume a teenager can handle hospitalization just like an adult. Teens are often reluctant to ask questions, leading parents to believe that they understand more than they actually do. Parents should encourage teens to ask the doctors and nurses questions and include the child in discussions about their care plan to help them feel in control.
The best way to prepare a child for a hospital stay is to talk about what will happen before admission in words the child can understand. How parents describe the event can affect a child’s attitude during the hospital stay. Parent and child can pack together for the hospital stay and include a favorite toy; the entire family should be included in a pre-hospital discussion. It is a good idea for parents to borrow a library book that describes a hospital stay and read it with the child.
A child’s questions should always be answered simply and honestly. When to bring up the subject of hospitalization varies according to the age of the child. For example, a youngster under age three should be told just a few days before admission, whereas teens should have at least a week’s notice.
If the child does not talk about the upcoming hospitalization, the parent should start casual conversations about the event, especially if the child does not ask specific questions. This gives the child a chance to express feelings about being hospitalized. It is important to explain clearly to a child the need for the hospitalization honestly. In addition, the child needs to know that there will be doctors and nurses at the hospital, and that the parent will make regular visits and spend the night whenever possible. (Many hospitals allow parents to stay overnight.)
It is important that children understand what to expect ahead of time. With guidance from the child’s doctor, parents can explain how things will feel, whether there will be pain, how long it will last, and that crying is a healthy way to express feelings.
Parents should clearly discuss any potential changes in the child’s appearance, such as a scar or cast. Because the child’s friends may not know what to say, the child should explain to them what happened. When a discharge date is given, the parent and child can discuss what they will do together afterward. No matter how tempting, parents should avoid telling a child things that are not true. If procedures will hurt, parents should say so.
If surgery is planned, parents should discuss how the child can expect to feel after an operation, emphasizing that the hospital stay is only temporary.
Younger Than Age Three
At this age, a child’s greatest worry is usually being away from parents. Being with a child as much as possible during the hospital stay will make the child feel more secure. Younger children (especially those under age three) often think of hospitalization as a punishment for misbehavior. Parents should encourage a child to express fears and concerns and explain clearly why the hospital stay is necessary.
Ages Four to Six
Children in this age group fear damage to their bodies, so parents need to be careful when explaining what will take place, avoiding phrases that a child may misconstrue. For example, parents should never describe anesthesia as “being put to sleep,” especially if a child may associate being put to sleep with an experience with a pet, assuming it means death. Instead, parents should tell children that the doctors will help a child take a nap for a few hours. When talking about surgery, parents should use terms such as “make an opening” instead of “cut.”
Ages Six to 12
Children older than six will worry about losing control as well as the potential damage to their bodies. Older children may also worry about doing or saying embarrassing things while under anesthesia. Parents should not deny that there will be pain after an operation, if this is the case, but explain that the pain will be temporary and the child will be made to feel as comfortable as possible.
Teenagers
Parents should not assume a teenager can handle hospitalization just like an adult. Teens are often reluctant to ask questions, leading parents to believe that they understand more than they actually do. Parents should encourage teens to ask the doctors and nurses questions and include the child in discussions about their care plan to help them feel in control.
Posted in Health and Wellness
Comments (1)
Being hospitalized is 1 thing I don’t like. It reminds me of something not good.
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