Tips for successful holiday visits during recovery
Surgery, illnesses and accidents can be even more stressful during holidays. If you have a friend or loved one who is recovering in a rehabilitation center over the holidays, there are many ways to help cheer them up during their stay. Here are six suggestions for a successful holiday time visit.
Schedule a time
When someone is recovering at a rehabilitation center, their days are focused on getting the needed therapies as scheduled. By calling ahead to arrange a visit, you can be sure that you are not interrupting an important therapy session or mealtime. Rest is also an important part of recovery, so try not to visit when the person would prefer some quiet time. The visit will be more pleasant if it is not disrupting the daily schedule.
Listen more than talk
Remember that this visit is all about the person in recovery, not you. Even if you have challenges in your life, this may not be the time to share these issues. Instead, try to engage the person in conversation. It is also important to turn off your phone so that there are no interruptions. The person needs to be the focus of the visit. If they wish to talk about their health, just listen and be supportive. However, some people would rather not discuss their medical problems so be respectful of those choices.
Bring something to share
Technology is wonderful, so take advantage of the photo album on your phone or the video clip on your tablet. Sometimes a picture or a funny video clip can spark conversation and set the mood for a pleasant visit.
Talk about the future
Conversation about a future event can raise someone’s spirits and make them even more determined to get better. If there is a family wedding, talk about gift ideas, travel plans and relatives who might attend. If the person will not be home for Christmas dinner, consider hosting an after-holiday event for them. Celebrations do not have to be tied to a specific date. A family holiday dinner can take place after the person is back to normal life.
Bring a small gift
Everyone likes to see a present with his or her name on it but remember to keep the items small so they don’t clutter up the room. Gifts can be meaningful like a picture in a frame or decorative like a small Santa to sit on the shelf. Presents that provide a pastime are also welcomed like a book of crossword puzzles, a jigsaw puzzle or a movie that can be watched after you leave. Another thoughtful idea is to bring cards and stamps so the person can send off holiday greetings to friends and family.
Don’t make a day of it
Be aware of the length of your visit. Remember that the person is supposed to be resting. Instead of spending an entire afternoon together, try to make two or three short 30 minute visits over several days. If it is hard for you to make the journey to the rehabilitation center, try calling every day or every other day. The important thing is to let the person know you are thinking of them and care about their recovery.
Choosing the best
When a medical event occurs during the holidays, it is important to carefully choose a quality rehabilitation center for recovery after the hospital stay. Whitehall of Deerfield is one of the best options available for both high-level care and luxurious accommodations. You can be assured that your loved one is receiving the best care possible so they can return home as quickly as possible when you select Whitehall of Deerfield.
Whitehall of Deerfield offers top therapists and three state-of-the-art gyms for one-on-one treatment seven days a week. With one of the highest patient-to-staff ratios in the area, Whitehall of Deerfield also offers attentive, round-the-clock care for everything from pain management to wound care.
Whitehall of Deerfield also consistently receives Medicare’s highest rating in Medicare’s five-star rating system of nursing and rehabilitation centers, reflecting Whitehall of Deerfield’s outstanding clinical care and outcomes.
Whitehall of Deerfield offers this superior level of care in a luxurious setting filled with world-class amenities. Well-appointed spacious rooms include in-room dining, high-speed wireless Internet, concierge service, newspaper delivery, valet parking for visitors, and dozens of cable channels with a 24-hour channel of newly released movies.
Guests can enjoy a wide-ranging choice of cuisine from selective menus as well as a variety of dining settings. An on-site ice cream parlor and coffee shop offers fresh baked goods in the mornings and ice cream treats in the afternoon, as well as gourmet coffee all day long. These are just some of the many features that give a resort feel to Whitehall of Deerfield.
For an effective recovery with luxury even during the holiday season, choose Whitehall of Deerfield. To learn more, visit whitehallofdeerfield.com or call 847-945-4600.
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