activities for visitors...

[dtandukar]

hello, what could be the good activities for dialysis visitors who have to wait outside until the dialysis is completed? I have to wait for 4 hours outside the dialysis room until my dad's dialysis is over - i spent most of my time reading. If the time of all the visitors could be utilised that would be really good.

Best regards,
Deependra

[Pam]

Ask if they have wireless internet. My center has it and I can use my laptop while I'm in the chair and I've seen a few visitors using them in the waiting room. My regular laptop is too big to handle with 1 hand so I bought one of the mini netbooks and it sure helps pass the time.

Pam

[RichardMEL]

Do you mean to say you are not allowed in the treatment area at ALL as a visitor/relative of a patient??? yikes!

Is there any reason you feel you have to wait out there for the entire 4 hours? Could you not head out to a local coffee place or somewhere at least more comfortable to read? Go for a walk or head to the gym or something to get some exercise?

At my unit, visitors/relatives are allowed in generally except when their person is coming on or off - and even then some of the "old hands" are allowed to stay (I am thinking of one lady whoose husband has been on D for 20 years - she comes and stays for his entire 4 hour run - she doesn't do much and indeed winds up doing stuff for bunches of other patients?!! a lovely woman). However most folks come, stay for a little bit, go out and do stuff - shopping, walking, heck one lady even goes and has a sleep in the car(?!) before she has to drive hubby home.

I think if it was me, and I was not even allowed in with the person I would leave the unit area until it was time to pick them up. Hospitals/Dialysis units are hardly the most fun places out there. We have a park over the road - if it was up to me I'd go sit under a tree and zone out......

[Red from Canada]

My husband comes with me and we have a DVD player and get films from our Library and watch two movies each session.  It is our movie night.

[KICKSTART]

We are allowed people in ..within reason. Is there not a cafe in the hospital you could go too?  Otherwise is the drive home too long , to go and then come back ? Do you mind.. but why do you have to stay?

[natnnnat]

I would knit.  I'm an obsessive knitter.  It would be an excuse to knit for four hours and suck down tea in the nearest cafe.