Managing Life from the Hospital

Being hospitalized can keep you from doing the things you want to do. But you don’t have to let it isolate you from your friends and family. Their support might even make your stay in the hospital a little easier.

There are many ways you can stay in touch with the people and things that matter to you. And with a little planning, you can also keep up with practical matters - like paying bills.

Here are some tips to consider that may make things easier if you have to stay in the hospital:

• Set up automated payments for your bills

• Start a personal and a professional phone tree to let people know what’s going on

• Bring a laptop so you can be in touch socially and professionally

• Start a blog – that way you can let everybody know what’s happening without having to repeat yourself

• Make sure a friend or family member has keys to your apartment and can take care of plants or pets while you’re gone. Go over these plans before you’re hospitalized