What can you do for patients during dialysis

[Razman]

I am not on dialysis yet but it is coming and because of that I have become very involved in learning everything I can about it.  My wife and I have been given an opportunity to be volunteers at a dialysis clinic and I think that it is a great way that we can offer our time to the community.   What can we do to serve the people that are on dialysis.  Just visit , get things , talk , tell jokes .  How do we know when they need someone or would rather be left alone.  What would you want or what could we do to help someone?  Thanks for your advice.

[BigSky]

Not sure, most of the people at my unit go to sleep.  I am one of the few that doesn't sleep on dialysis.

[kitkatz]

If the patient is awake talk to them. Leave sleeping patients lie.

[jbeany]

Depends on the atmosphere at your clinic, I think.  The nurses at mine always make sure we have everything we need - ice, blankets, pillows, etc.  I usually bring a book, music, or a laptop, and they have cable tv, so I don't really need more entertainment. I think some of the patients might like someone to talk to, but personally, I'd rather read or zone out.  If the clinic you are volunteering at is understaffed or very busy, the nurses won't have time to wait on the patients, and they will probably be glad to have someone around who can do things for them, though.

Other things you could do - collect and rotate artwork.  Get people to donate magazine subscriptions.  Set up a fish tank in the lobby.  Install bird feeders outside any windows.  Anything you can do to make the atmosphere more congenial and less antiseptic will be appreciated.

Things NOT to do - forget that the patients are unable to walk away from a conversation they don't want to have, attempt to preach/convert them, wake someone up to ask if they need something, drink large amounts of fluid in front of them, or eat something they aren't allowed to have in front of them either!

[meadowlandsnj]

I am not on dialysis yet but it is coming and because of that I have become very involved in learning everything I can about it.  My wife and I have been given an opportunity to be volunteers at a dialysis clinic and I think that it is a great way that we can offer our time to the community.   What can we do to serve the people that are on dialysis.  Just visit , get things , talk , tell jokes .  How do we know when they need someone or would rather be left alone.  What would you want or what could we do to help someone?  Thanks for your advice.

If you see someone who looks down offer to talk wth them.  I mean of they look sad or lonely start up a conversation. I've done that a few times.  Sometimes you just have to listen, and let the other person vent. 

Donna

[kitkatz]

Magazines would be great to have on hand to give people.  I am always looking for something new to read in the clinic.

[glitter]

there is some good very advice above.

My husband does not like to be un-nessacarily bothered, he likes to sleep if the techs and nurses are not yelling back and forth too loudly.

Trying to involve him in child-type games would annoy him, but if he is awake- he might enjoy a bit of conversation The techs and nurses do not talk very much.

[bluedove57]

Hi Razman, you helped me just sending me a message that you read my testimony. It was an encouragement to me that someone else will be praying for me. I in turn will pray for you that the Lord will turn your situation around and you won't have to do dialysis. May God bless you and your wife with a gift of healing. Wanda

[Hawkeye]

Magazines would be great to have on hand to give people.  I am always looking for something new to read in the clinic.

Magazines are fine for the lobby area, but unfortunately you can't clean paper with bleach water so they would become a cross contamination issue on the treatment floor.  That is unless you pull the magazine apart and laminate every page.

[goofynina]

If you see someone who looks down offer to talk wth them. I mean of they look sad or lonely start up a conversation. I've done that a few times. Sometimes you just have to listen, and let the other person vent.

Donna

I think this is awesome of you to do Razman, i think your Social Worker can give you a better clue as to who would prefer visitors and who wont, maybe she can make the rounds and ask them individually and note the ones that do on a paper.  I think it would be important for you to let them know that you are a future patient as well, so maybe then can talk to you and teach you a little more as well.  Again, i think this is awesome of you,  let us know how it goes please 

[Sluff]

Razman I hope when it's your turn that someone will take the time to talk with you when your having a bad day. We reap what we sew. Your doing a good thing.   

[Razman]

Just a note to say thanks to everyone for their advise.  I had to get blood tests yesterday to see if I require shots for the major illnesses such as mumps or chicken pox etc.  It will take about a month but after I start I am sure that I will need a lot more advise from the "experts".   

[kitkatz]

"Experts"??Aren't they just drips under pressure?