Who cares for your hospitalized child when you aren't there?

Kathryn Elison, MSW Cilinical Social Worker, shares advice for parents with a hospitalized child on who can help care for your child when you can't be present
Who Cares For Your Hospitalized Child When You Can't Be There
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Who cares for your hospitalized child when you aren't there?

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One of the unknowns for parents is what their child's hospitalization looks like. You likely can't be there 24 hours a day, so what's going on with your child during this time? Nurses will be in and out of the room providing clinical care. They will likely be a whole host of supportive services to help with your child when you're not there; such as, child life specialists, clinical workers, social workers, and spiritual care services. Your child will be occupied during the day, even if you aren't there. If you find yourself nervous about how to fill your child's time when you are not there, partner up with the medical team, and together work on a plan to schedule different people in the room with your child. Your hospital may have volunteer services and volunteers can come play games, read books, or do art with your child if you are not able to be there.

Kathryn Elison, MSW Cilinical Social Worker, shares advice for parents with a hospitalized child on who can help care for your child when you can't be present

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Kathryn Elison, MSW

Clinical Social Worker, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Kathryn Elison is a Clinical Social Worker at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She was drawn to her profession because of her passion to provide support to families experiencing a medical crisis. Kathryn accompanies her patients and their families during one of the most stressful journeys of their lives, helping them navigate through this challenge and supporting them each step of the way. A native of North Carolina, Kathryn moved to Los Angeles, CA after receiving a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her free time, Kathryn enjoys exploring her new home state of California with her husband Jed and her dog Sallie.

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Transcription: 
One of the unknowns for parents is what their child's hospitalization looks like. You likely can't be there 24 hours a day, so what's going on with your child during this time? Nurses will be in and out of the room providing clinical care. They will likely be a whole host of supportive services to help with your child when you're not there; such as, child life specialists, clinical workers, social workers, and spiritual care services. Your child will be occupied during the day, even if you aren't there. If you find yourself nervous about how to fill your child's time when you are not there, partner up with the medical team, and together work on a plan to schedule different people in the room with your child. Your hospital may have volunteer services and volunteers can come play games, read books, or do art with your child if you are not able to be there.