Most hospitals in the Lower Mainland are still refraining from accepting gifts from outside sources. I assume this will change soon…. but check in with us or your local hospital for updates.
((UPDATE: VCH (Vancouver Coastal Health) facilities are under restricted visitation.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working closely with the Ministry of Health to protect the health of everyone in B.C., including patients, clients and residents. All Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) facilities are restricted to essential visits only, which includes visitors providing compassionate care, physical care and mental well-being.))
Most hospitals have set up staging or accepting stations for many outside deliveries. This has been causing huge delays for drop offs as well as delays in the patients receiving their gifts. Many gift baskets and boxes are not getting to the patients before they are discharged. However, their Well Wishes program is still operating currently and a great opinion to get your well wishes and messages across. http://www.vch.ca/your-care/hospital-care/send-well-wishes and their amazing volunteers and happy to help.
Because of the current situation, I strongly suggest you avoid sending gifts to the hospitals directly: please wait until Mom has gotten home with her new bundle of joy and wait until they are home recovery from the surgery. Also, we don’t want to add another task to hospital staff right now, they have so much else going on and we need them to remain focused on the greater task on hand.
I know it’s hard and you want the patient to know you are thinking of them and wish you could be by their side but the unprecedented time we are in has caused us all to be flexible & creative with how we connect with the ones we love.
Here are some ideas: embrace the new video conferencing apps and have a face to face (through screen) chat and catch up, send texts of encouragement (with NO RESPONSE NEEDED), plan a drive by ‘wave party’ if they are near a window to see, pick some flowers from your garden and send them a photo… no, i know it’s not the same thing and I know, we are ALL struggling separately but the stronger we are apart right now, the faster we can be strong arm in arm together soon.
Please remember that I am always just a phone call to discuss all your gift giving opinions to hospitals and senior facilities.
Stay safe, stay home and BE KIND,
Socially distance HUGS,
Carole
Leave a Reply