IDEAS: Creative Healthy Care Ideas

Humor can be a powerful tool in helping patients cope with their medical conditions and improve their overall hospital experience. Laughter and positive emotions can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which can help reduce pain and stress. For patients with brain injuries or FASD, humor can provide a much-needed emotional outlet and a sense of normalcy in an otherwise challenging environment. It can help break the monotony of hospital routines and create moments of joy and connection with caregivers and family members.

Humor can also aid in cognitive stimulation, encouraging patients to engage in wordplay, understand context, and exercise their memory. Moreover, a lighthearted approach can make medical procedures seem less daunting and help patients maintain a positive outlook on their recovery journey. It’s crucial to use humor appropriately. NO SARCASIM! EVER! Consider the individual patient’s condition, cognitive abilities, and personal preferences. Sensitive and loving humor can be a valuable tool in treatment, fostering resilience, improving mood, and potentially even speeding up the healing process.

Here are some creative ways to support health care compliance and being in the hospital especially for individuals with FASD and their families:

1. Create a personalized communication board: Use pictures, symbols, or simple words to help the patient express needs and feelings if verbal communication is challenging. Include things like: Day of week and year, what I like to eat, who are the people that help me.
2. Set up a familiar environment: Bring in personal items like photos, favorite blankets, or familiar scents to create a more comforting space.
3. Use color-coding: Label different items or areas with distinct colors to help with memory and organization (e.g., red for medical equipment, blue for personal items).
4. Implement a daily routine chart: Create a visual schedule of daily activities to help the patient understand and anticipate what’s coming next.
5. Develop a sensory kit: Include items like stress balls, textured objects, or soothing music to help manage over-stimulation or anxiety.
6. Create a “visitor log” and PROGRESS JOURNAL: Set up a notebook where visitors can write messages, allowing the patient to review interactions later and aid memory. This is a place you can also cheer lead with little notes of encouragement and PROGRESS
7. Use technology creatively: Set up voice-activated devices or simplified tablets for entertainment, communication, or memory aids.
8. Name your equipment: The IV pole I dragged around was called “asshat” and I was perfectly happy to introduce staff to him. The Continuous Dialysis machine I was connected to for two weeks was “Baxter”. The observation robot that surprised us at the beginning of our journey – well…. let’s just say his name is unmentionable.
9. Implement a “pain scale” system: Use a visual scale (e.g., faces showing different emotions) to help the patient communicate pain levels more easily.
10. Create a Treasure Hunt: There is so many NEW pieces and products used by hospitals. Create a treasure hunt to explore and find and learn about the many things that are part of your life.
11. Set up a “quiet time” signal: Use a specific object or sign to indicate when the patient needs rest or reduced stimulation.
12. Establish a consistent care team: Work with the hospital to ensure the patient has a consistent group of caregivers who understand their specific needs and communication style.
13. Make a FOODS I like list from the approved diet menu. Get permission to bring some comfort safe foods from home.
14. Ask for a shampoo cap – having your hair washed can feel SO GOOD.

These hacks can help improve communication, reduce stress, and support the recovery process for individuals with brain injuries in a hospital setting.

Here are some humor ideas for healthcare professionals idea:

1. Assess appropriateness: Ensure that humor is suitable for the individual patient’s condition, cognitive abilities, and personal preferences. Not all situations are appropriate for humor.
2. Use gentle, non-offensive humor: Opt for light-hearted jokes or playful comments that don’t target the patient or their condition.
3. Incorporate humor into routine interactions: Use funny anecdotes or witty observations during regular check-ins or procedures to lighten the mood.
4. Encourage patients to share humor: Ask patients if they’ve heard any good jokes lately or if they have any funny stories to share.
5. Use visual humor: Incorporate funny pictures, cartoons, or memes (where appropriate) in patient areas or during explanations of medical concepts.
6. Create a positive atmosphere: Foster an environment where appropriate laughter and lightheartedness are welcome.
7. Use humor as a distraction technique: During uncomfortable procedures, use humor to help redirect the patient’s attention.
8. Incorporate funny props: Use silly hats, stickers, or other props during interactions with pediatric patients or adults who are receptive to such approaches.
9. Share humorous medical-related content: Use funny medical-related stories or jokes that patients might relate to (while maintaining professionalism and patient confidentiality).
10. Be self-deprecating (within reason): Sharing mild, humorous personal anecdotes can help humanize healthcare professionals and build rapport with patients.

Remember, the goal is to use humor as a tool to enhance patient care, reduce stress, and improve the overall healthcare experience. It should always be used sensitively and in conjunction with professional medical care, not as a replacement for it.

TODAY’S NOTE: “Humor gets you through the minutes, and hours, and weeks, and months in hospitals.” – In Solidarity, Liz“