During the visit

It is important to arrive at the time that you scheduled. Dress appropriately which in most cases is business casual attire. Introduce yourself to the person when you arrive and explain your relationship to the referring source. You should begin the conversation with an open-ended question. This could be “What do you need to know?” or “How may I help you?”.

Let the person that you are visiting set the agenda for the visit. Listen, and provide support and information as requested. Only share your personal experiences if they are relevant to the person you’re visiting. End your visit at the time you agreed on.  During the visit, it is important to be aware of any increased pain or discomfort that the person you are visiting is experiencing. Also, watch for any decreased interest in talking. These signs can be used to end your visit earlier than planned.

Before you leave, ask the person if they would like to have further conversations.  If so, ask for their contact information so that you can schedule a follow-up visit.  Keep in mind that friends and families are also affected by the amputation. Include them in the conversation if this is what the person you were visiting wants.

Guidelines for visiting

Click through the three slides below to learn the guidelines for the three different types of visits. Use the double arrow in the bottom right corner of the window to view it in full screen.

What should you not do during home or hospital visits

  • Provide assistance to the bathroom; if immediate assistance is needed call the family or healthcare staff
  • Administer any medications
  • Provide transportation to the person you were visiting with their family members
  • Handle any money or valuables
  • Provide medical advice or recommendations
  • Arrive unexpectedly or bring another person with you
  • Sit on the bed of the person you were visiting (if they are in bed, bring a chair to the side of the bed instead)

Check Your Understanding

Please read the following scenario and answer the multiple-choice question.

John, a peer visitor with the Amputee Coalition of Canada, is visiting Marie in the hospital. She had her amputation four days ago and requested a peer visitor through the hospital’s peer visitor program.  John arrives at the visit rather harried and 10 minutes late. He did not have time to check-in at the front desk and pulls up a chair beside Marie’s bed.  After conversing for 15 minutes, Marie says she needs to go to the washroom and asks John to assist her.  There is no nurse in the room so he helps her get out of bed and walk to the washroom.  After she returns to the bed they continue to talk for another 15 minutes. John does not notice that Marie is looking increasingly uncomfortable and less engaged in the conversation. He remains for another half hour.  Prior to leaving, he asks her if she would like a further visit or further information.

License

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Amputee Coalition of Canada Peer Visitor Guide Copyright © by Kirsten Woodend is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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