Things To Do Before Your Hospital Stay

Adjusting to life after a hospital stay can be a daunting experience, especially if this is the first time you have been admitted. This adjustment can be made more bearable if you make a few changes before your admission date so that you can focus on recuperation after you are discharged.

One of the first things that you can do is to inform family and friends of the dates of your planned hospital stay. Doing this well in advance will help them make arrangements so that they can spend time with you as you recover.

If you are scheduled to have major surgery, ask for help from people you trust who can help you with personal tasks like showering and dressing. In addition, enlist the help of friends who are physically able to help you with cooking, grocery shopping and other household chores that you may not be able to complete on your own.

Stocking your refrigerator with non-perishables and freezing some meals are other simple things you can do before admission, so that you can focus on recuperation after you are discharged.

Vacuuming your home, doing your laundry and household duties that require bending and lifting before you are admitted are other pre-admission tasks that can help you cope better after you are discharged.

Rearranging furniture and moving your bedroom to one that is downstairs can also help you recover with ease, especially if the surgery will affect your mobility.

Asking your doctor for a prescription of the medications you will take after your hospital stay so that you can fill them in advance can help make your life easier after discharge. This simple request can help you prevent delays in taking your medications if you are in too much pain to go to the pharmacy.

Practicing breathing and leg exercises before your hospital stay can help you perform them better after you are discharged, as well as hasten the healing process by reducing complications.

Written by: Marian Kim, FizzNiche Staff Writer

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