Maintaining your dignity while recovering from an illness or surgery can be difficult. We may feel like we’re just another number in a system that’s overburdened by limited space, overworked staff and strict guidelines on service allocation. We may have personal issues regarding how hospitals force us to live while we are there.
The current climate in health care in Ontario is that patients must also embody the adjective implied by their title. Many Ontario residents are having difficulty finding a family doctor, so the ER is often busy. Emergency room wait times can vary, and patients are expected to spend 4-10 hours waiting for medical attention.
Patients are often discharged when they are well enough to continue their recovery where they don’t occupy a bed needed by a more urgent circumstance. The transition from the hospital to another location, usually home or a long-term care facility, can be stressful. It’s important to know what your options are well before your discharge date, so do some independent research in addition to speaking with your doctor and nurses.
Find a Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) service area near you
Maintaining your dignity
We try to remember that the people who trained to help people when they are at their most vulnerable are doing the work because they actually do care about your well-being and dignity. We are an important part of the equation when it comes to maintaining our own dignity, because our hospital etiquette can have an impact on the way we interact with others. Nurses are paid to take care of us, but they are not paid to deal with bad behaviour, no matter how patient they are!
Accept that you need help
Once we overcome the shyness of having to be half-naked in a strange bed, often sharing quarters with strangers, it will be less taxing on our sensitivities. We know that’s easier said than done, but it really is a reality we can’t ignore.
Communicate with your attending nurses and caregivers
If they know what you need, they can accommodate your preferences when possible. Imagine trying to take care of someone whom you barely know. Trying to figure out what irks someone, or what makes them comfortable is almost impossible if the patient doesn’t communicate!
Bad behaviour can have bad consequences
Have you noticed signs asking the public to be respectful, and that abusive language or behaviour toward staff or anyone in the area won’t be tolerated? These signs usually exist because one or more people have allowed their frustration with the system to cloud their judgement. The consequences of using rude language, physical violence or disruptive behaviour. They can lead to expulsion from the facility or police involvement. Mutual respect goes a long way.
Speak up when it matters
If you feel that you are being mistreated or abused, it’s important to make the situation known to the appropriate people. Call the nurse who is managing the area immediately so they can address the problem. Report any misconduct through the hospital and the College of Nurses of Ontario.
Leaving the Hospital
Seeing an actual discharge date on the white board on the wall in front of the bed can evoke hope and happiness, or dread and stress. It all depends on how much care you will need once you leave the hospital and if you have a plan. You may qualify for LHIN services such as help with bathing and respite care.
Our Milestone Health Services Client Care Manager can do an in-hospital assessment to help you get a clear picture of how the move from the hospital to your home or long-term care facility will work, and explain our Hospital Discharge services.
Our Client Care Manager can:
- Attend your discharge meeting with your medical team to understand what your needs are
- visit your home to ensure it’s ready for your arrival
- coordinate the delivery of medical equipment
- communicate with your doctors to ensure streamlined, consistent health care
- arrange for transportation home
- help you arrange for transportation to follow-up appointments
How else can Milestone Health Services Halton help?
Home care in Halton is accessible and we can work with you to customize a health care plan that you and your family can afford. We can help you understand the OHIP benefits for which you qualify, and how you can maximize your private insurance benefits.
When we hire caregivers forMilestone Health Services, we ensure they’re qualified and pass all security checks. We want you and your family to feel safe. It would be an honour to serve you and help you find a caregiver who matches your needs.
- available 24 hours
- mobile physiotherapy (through the Work-Fit Total Therapy program)
- Connect Care Medical Alert
- Nursing care services
- Personal Care services
- Home Support and Housekeeping services
We provide home care services in the following areas: Halton, including Georgetown, Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Mississauga North. If you would like to discuss your individual needs (whether or not you’re a senior) contact Milestone Health Services Halton for a complimentary in-home consultation at 1-888-509-9394 or 905-864-9020. You can also use our online contact form or our live chat option.