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    The Health Legal Documents You Need Before You Go to the Hospital

    Terminally Ill Father

    Many people go to the hospital completely unprepared. My father went to the hospital many times and we never thought he wouldn’t be coming home. But one time, he didn’t. Thank goodness we had all the documents we needed when that time came.

    Even if you are being admitted to the hospital for a routine procedure, you should always have health legal documents in place in case something unexpected happens.  

    What health legal documents should you have?

    1. Patient Advocate form
      Who will you want to make medical decisions for you if you can’t?  This is also called an advanced directive, living will or medical durable power of attorney.
    2. Power of Attorney
      The person who can do anything you can do legally, such as access your bank account or move your investments
    3. DNR
      A “Do Not Resuscitate” order, if you wish the hospital personnel not provide life saving measures
    4. Letter of Direction
      A document that tells your family what to do if you are incapacitated or die

    It may seem silly to be thinking about these serious issues when you may only be going into the hospital for a minor matter or routine procedure. But the last thing you want is for your family to be left with the decisions about your care when they don’t know what you wanted done.

    If you don’t already have these documents in place, speak with your hospital or attorney. 

    In my upcoming blog posts, I’ll discuss these documents in more detail. STAY TUNED!

    Have you ever had problems getting the hospital to allow you or your loved one to follow your wishes? If so, I’d love to hear from you!

    To learn more about your stay in a hospital, subscribe to MyHealthSpin.com and receive a FREE copy of my ebook Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay. CLICK HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

    With MyHealthspin, You Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

     

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    Rest in a Hospital: Is it possible?

    Sleeping patient with doctors behind in hospital room

    Someone was telling me that she couldn’t wait to leave the hospital to get some rest at home. During her pregnancy she received plenty of advice that she should sleep while she was in the hospital because once she got home with the baby, there would be no rest. She found, however, that sleeping in the hospital was nearly impossible with nurses and doctors coming in to check on her at all hours, machines beeping, and the constant flurry of activity.

    You may think that the hospital is a good place to recuperate and get some rest after a procedure, but getting rest in a hospital is difficult. The building runs 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. There is always something going on.

    To get the best rest in a hospital for you or your loved one, consider these points:

    1. Ask for a private room.
      If you have a roommate, you will be subject to their noise which means their doctors, nurses, visitors, talking, coughing, and so on. Getting a private room ensures that at least you will only be subject to noise related to your care.
    2. Ask if you can be assigned to a quiet room or floor.
      This might not be possible as certain illnesses require that you have a room in a specific location. However, sometimes the person assigning you a room can select one that is away from the elevator or the nurses’ station so that it is quieter.
    3. Adhere to the visiting hours.
      It might be comforting to have your family and friends visit, but remember you are in the hospital to get rest and recover. You can always have visitors when you go home and are feeling better.
    4. Ask what is scheduled for you.
      Remember that hospitals often wake you up in the middle of the night or early in the morning for blood work or tests. Ask your doctor what is scheduled for when so you can sleep in between.
    5. If you have a roommate, ask your nurse to monitor how many visitors your roommate is having and their noise level.
      Everyone has the right to get rest in the hospital.

    Rest in a hospital may not be easy, but with these tips you may be able to rest a little better.

    What problems have you had when you were in the hospital?  I’d love to hear from you!

    To learn more about your stay in a hospital, subscribe to MyHealthSpin.com and receive a FREE copy of my ebook Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay. CLICK HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

    With MyHealthspin, You Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

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    What Do You Bring to the Hospital?

    Doctor taking care of patient in hospital roomHospital stays aren’t fun. Planning for them doesn’t have the same excitement as planning for, say, a vacation. But like a vacation, preparing for a hospital stay requires you to pack smart.

    How do you decide what to bring to the hospital with you? Basically, you will want to bring the things you need for admittance and that will make your stay as smooth as possible.

    Remember, though, that hospitals have a lot of people coming and going. In addition, you may switch rooms or leave your room for tests or procedures. Unfortunately, personal items can be lost or stolen.

    A general rule is if it’s important to you, leave it at home.

    Here are some guidelines.

    What to bring to the hospital:

    1. A warm sweater or jacket
      Hospital rooms can get cold. You will be in a hospital gown that doesn’t provide much coverage. It’s always a good idea to have something warm to put on if you get cold.
    2. Your identification and medical insurance card
      You will need these during the admitting process, but if possible, have your loved one take them when you are finished.
    3. Your medical life list or medical history
      Whether you are being admitted to the hospital from your life-long doctor or someone new, the hospital will need a complete record of your health history. (Hint: If you have not gathered your health history, get our FREE eBook Easy Healthcare: What You Need First.)
    4. Important documents, like your Advanced Directive or Trust
      Bring the documents that detail your medical wishes in case you cannot decide for yourself. If you don’t have an Advanced Directive, the hospital may help you fill one out.

    What NOT to bring to the hospital:

    1. Anything valuable
    2. Money
    3. Laptops or tablets
    4. Cell phone (It is handy to have if you need to call family BUT remember it might get lost or stolen.)

    As with most situations, use your discretion.

    REMEMBER to pack SMART so you have what you need, but don’t lose those items that are important.

    What do you take the hospital when you or your loved one goes to the hospital? I’d love to hear from you!

    To learn more about your stay in a hospital, download my FREE ebook Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay. 

    With MyHealthSpin, You Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!