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“Especially during a stressful time like the pandemic, the ability to do these visits is making a real difference for patients and their families.”
The warm hug of a family member. The compassionate hand of a loved one offering support. A bedside chat with a visiting friend. These simple things are all important to the well-being of patients at St. Peter’s Hospital, but the COVID-19 crisis made the restriction of visitors necessary for everyone’s safety.
“We are grateful that Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation supported the purchase of eight cell phones that we use for window visits at St. Peter’s Hospital,” says Shauntel Baird, Window Visit Facilitator. “This allows patients who don’t have access to their own phones to speak with loved ones through a window on the ground floor.”
In addition to window visits, Shauntel has been busy assisting patients with virtual visits via phone or tablet computer, as well as taking patients on one-on-one courtyard walks to provide emotional support. She is thankful to see the positive impact these visits have on patients.
“They perk right up and you can see the smiles on their faces,” she says. “It’s wonderful to see patients meet newborn grandchildren for the first time or read stories to their grandkids through the window. Especially during a stressful time like the pandemic, the ability to do these visits is making a real difference for patients and their families.”
