My whole family has been visiting her everyday for about six hours each day. I have too however, this has been making me exhausted and taking a toll on me. It is stressing me out I have college and cannot really concentate because of this situation. Are we visiting my grandmother too much in the hospital? We are there everyday for almost six hours. I feel it is getting too much, my grandmother has been in the hospital for a week. Is this too much? Should we limit our time at the hospital? Also, my mom is hysterical and bosses the nurses around. What should we do?
2007-03-01 13:20:06 · 7 answers · asked by brooke992002 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
why don't you spend less time there? Don't worry about everyone else's time there.
It is beneficial to a stroke victim to have family around. Having a stroke can be scary because they often lose the ability to communicate. That doesn't mean they don't know something happened to them, they just might not know what happened to them. Can you imagine how scary that must be? To wake up in an unfamiliar environment with people you don't recognize and not be able to move or speak? It is of great comfort and therapeutic for family to be around your grandmother right now and help remind her of who she is and who they are. It will help her regain her functions faster. If it is taking a toll on you, then visit less.
2007-03-01 13:27:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have a great family!
Six hours a day sounds right.
If nothing else, your mother is serving as a great role-model for you----someday, you will be taking care of her. It's very hard to deal with at this stage of YOUR life, when college comes first. But, watch everything that goes on now, because you will need to use the skills in the future when you are taking care of sick family members and dealing with a hospital.
The whole point of having relatives is that they help you out when you need it, and vice versa. People sick in a hospital, especially with a stroke, can easily die from neglect, accident, mistakes if left to the hospital staff. Relatives are right to feel they have to go in and fight for someone---they often do.
Someone sick and helpless in a hospital MUST be helped by a family member---too many things can go wrong if they are not. Someone has to take responsibility for decisions.
Try to help your mother with her burden, which may be lasting for years to come. Watch the nurses and learn techniques of care from them while you're at the hospital, they will teach you a lot if you ask them.
My Mother had a series of small strokes, over a period of 9 years.
For the last 3 years of her life she was nearly paralysed and bedridden. I was the only one to take care of her, and did it 99% at home. It was terrifying, but kind of fun after a while. I was afraid of making a mistake, but also knew I really cared, so that gave me a lot of satisfaction. It was exhausting emotionally because I could not predict the future, but I managed. I gained a lot of confidence, the hard way.
2007-03-01 13:41:31 · answer #2 · answered by papyrusbtl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of you (I don't know how many there are) visiting at one time is too much. When my father was in the hosptial we never left him alone, however, only one stayed with him at a time. AND we did not interfer with the nurses' work. Everyone stayed calm and no one acted hysterical. Depending on how much your grandmother is aware of, I am sure your mother's hysteria is not good for her.
If you have college classes to go to, then I would go ahead and go. Just stop by and visit your grandmother for a short time. Get plenty of rest and keep up with your school work.
There is a chance that your grandmother may need help after she is released from the hospital. That is when she is going to need everyone around her.
Good luck to you and make sure to keep yourself healthy.
2007-03-01 13:31:26 · answer #3 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having worked with thousands of stroke patients, I can tell you your grandmother needs rest in order to have the strength to participate in therapy. Your mom needs to back off; nurses tend not to give the best care if family members are too intrusive. Also, it can cause unneccessary emotional stress on the patient with all that conflict in her room, which will interfere with grandma's progress. Encourage your mom to speak with the social worker or the hospital chaplain about the stresses/dissatisfaction she is feeling about the stroke and nursing care. Go on with your own life and see your grandma when you can. Short (30 min) visits are best.
2007-03-01 13:49:22 · answer #4 · answered by boogeywoogy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The family is still adjusting to the shock from the change that has happened to your grandmother. In time, things will settle down and find their own rhythm. Try giving your mother subtle hints like bringing your textbooks along to the home and reading there, or talking about how stressed you are about your studies.
2007-03-01 13:29:48 · answer #5 · answered by Testaco 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her what the rehabilitation specialist said, and advise her to see a doctor about her feelings, and ask for counselling, and try to get her to learn the relaxation methods in http://www.relax7.com/7.php Limit your visits to 30 mns, maybe every other day.
2007-03-01 14:25:56 · answer #6 · answered by CLICKHEREx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your grandmother is evidently very much loved by her family.
i understand how you feel but this won't go on forever.
imagine how you would feel if it were you laying in the bed scared and helpless.
be as patient as you can and bring your homework with you if you can. you can do it in the lounge if the room gets to be a bit much.
i wish your grama a fast recovery.
2007-03-01 13:31:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋