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    Content copyright 2015. allianceforkids.com. All rights reserved.

    All information listed in this site was reviewed for accuracy by professionals in the fields of health care, education, disability services and family support. In addition, parents and service providers reviewed the information for readability and usefulness. All relevant government and non-profit services are listed. Selected for-profit entities are listed as needed to provide families with a comprehensive guide to services. Inclusion in the guide does not imply endorsement, nor does exclusion imply approval of an organization or service. Please submit corrections and suggestions to R.E.S.C.U.E. c/o Alliance For Kids, Inc, 561.531.0248, info@allianceforkids.com              Privacy Policy and Legal Notice

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    INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. 

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    Helping your Teenager cope with the Hospital 

     

    Teen 13-18 years

     

    Prepare your teenager for the hospital a couple weeks to a month ahead of time. This will give your teenager time to prepare, talk to family and friends and gather information.

    For teenagers, independence is very important, so encourage your teenager to ask questions of doctors and nurses and to be as involved with self care as is appropriate. Give as much information as you think your teen can handle and reinforce positive coping mechanisms. Respect your teenagers need for privacy, and also help him/her keep in contact with school and friends. Encourage your teenager to make phone calls to friends, Skype and/or email. They can even hang pictures of their friends on their hospital room walls and have friends visit.

     

    Developmental milestones:

     

    • Socialization is important

    • Rapidly changing body image

    • Need for privacy

    • Increasing independence and responsibility

    • Struggle to develop self identity

    • Use of deductive reasoning and abstract thought

     

    Hospital Stressors:

     

    • Lack of trust

    • Loss of independence and control

    • Threat of change in body image

    • Restriction of physical activities

    • Loss of peer acceptance and/ or fear of rejection

    • Threat to bodily competence

    • Threat to future

    • Fear of death

    • Isolation

    • Limited caregiver involvement

     

    Coping behaviors:

     

    • Defense mechanisms

    • intellectualization (finding out everything there is to know about why they are in the hospital)

    • Conformity (giving in, often seen as withdrawal)

    • Uncooperative behavior

     

    How to help Teenagers cope with hospitalization:

     

    • Respect and maintain privacy

    • Involve patient in self care

    • Allow peers to visit

    • Communicate honestly

    • Discuss potential psychological and physical changes

    • Address potential long term issues

    • Provide opportunity for open discussion and guidence

    • Visual Board

    • Alliance Project

    • Keep up with school work

    • Interdisciplinary care conference

     

    Pain management and distraction techniques:

     

    • Conversation (humor)

    • Music

    • Encouraging statements

    • Deep breathing/ visualization

    • Favorite toy/ play

    • Watching videos

    • Guided imagery

    • IPAD