Raising the mood of hospitalised nan

dixie_dean_2

My Nan has been in hospital for about 5 weeks and is starting to get very down. She's 85 and has been very ill. Things don't look great but she keeps making very good recoveries but I think it's starting to wear her down. Not explaining this very well but just wondered if people had any experience of similar things and any ideas about how to try and raise her spirits. My mum and dad seem to think taking in some nice food for her, just different things from the same old meals she's had on repeat for 5 weeks, will perk her up. She's just very fed up and close to "giving in" I think.

ruthy1230

My Grandad was recently in hospital .Regular short visits were enough to perk him up when he was feeling low.
I'm also a Nurse ,patients often have lockers full of sweets and biscuts that they don't want .As people feel that it is not right to visit a person in hospital without something. Time and seeing a different face is often enough to cheer up the sadest soles.

belfastgirl23

Is she religious? I know my gran got great comfort from the hospital chaplain at a stage.

Otherwise are there any relatives or old friends she hasn't seen for a while? EG if she has any surviving brothers/sisters or close friends? Sometimes seeing someone from your own 'generation' can help. Even if it might mean collecting them and leaving them back again (I know older people sometimes have trouble with travelling). Or failing that any younger family members?

I think the food thing is a good idea too though, especially if they could make something she particularly likes. It's also important to keep her nourished too of course!

Could you promise her a day out when she gets out, even if it's just driving round some of her favourite places? Again might give her something to think or dream about...

Lots of luck and I hope you find the right thing for her.

dixie_dean_2

Thanks folks. She's not religious, although, like many people claims to believe in "something". It's mainly me and my parents that visit her so maybe getting my brother and her own brother in might be a good idea and maybe also my girlfriend's mum. Thanks again.

blindmouse

Is she up to a trip out in a wheelchair for half hour, maybe a change of scenary to the hosp cafe or a walk round the grounds if she is well wrapped up......... Or even a home visit.......

Hermia

When my dad was in hospital we took in lots of board games. It took his mind off things and there was a lot of laughing and bickering over who won!

dixie_dean_2

Ah, wheelchair and a little spin. There's an idea. She's been sat up the last few days so I don't see why not if we can getr her wrapped up. This is really good stuff. I wasn't actually expecting anyone to be able to come up with much but got a few ideas now. Thanks a lot.

tanith

When an elderly friend broke her hip I know she was cheered up with news that her daughter had done some work around the house, garden and given the kitchen and bathroom a good clean and lick of paint.. also cleaning the windows all as in preparation for when she came home... I think she had begun to think along the same lines as your Nan .. that she wouldn't see her home again... make plans for the Summer about trips out and walks you intend on taking with her even if it is in a wheelchair.. I hope she gets better soon

jackieglasgow

Does she like playing cards? My gran died years ago but was in hospital for quite a while before she went, and before her health really took a turn for the worse, she would love playing cards when we came to visit, and told us that when she was fed up, couldn't sleep, she would play patience on the bed table for hours on end.

pukkamum

How about a manicure?
when my nan was in hosp i would give her a manicure, with a hand massage etc.
I think she got the most pleasure from the human contact it gave her, having someone touch her in a gentle loving way as opposed to all the poking and prodding she was getting by the staff.

granmadelighted

hi iagree about the board games and cards, on the day my dmum was having an op for breast cancer and had ben moved to last on the list, i took scrabble and cards and sat and played with her while we waited.

the whole small ward got involved and dmum made the porters wait till shed finished her turn at scrabble before shegot on the trolley to go to theatre.because she had a large scoring word lol.

we often played games during the three weeks i stayed with her while she recovered from her op. sadly shes passed on now but has left us many happy memories.she had such fighting spirit bless her heart.

hope your nan gets well soon
hugs granmadelighted.