There is a growing body of literature that explores the hidden problem of caregiver food insecurity within pediatric hospital settings. This blog post examines the challenges faced by caregivers and patients in pediatric hospitals and highlights the urgent need for solutions.
What the Literature Says
Research indicates that hospital food insecurity is associated with a variety of factors. The most prominent among these include not having enough money to buy food at the hospital, lack of knowledge of where to get food at the hospital, and caregivers unable to leave the child’s bedside to go get food. Because inpatient food insecurity may affect a significant proportion of hospitalized children’s caregivers, the research suggests that pediatric hospitals should ensure that caregivers have access to food in order to fully engage in their child’s care.
The Concerns: Food Affordability and Availability
There are two major concerns regarding food access at the hospital: food affordability and caregivers not wanting to leave the bedside to obtain food. First, whether the food is $10 a plate or $5 a plate, food costs can add up quickly during a hospitalization increasing the financial burden on families already in a tough situation. Second, caregivers are reluctant to leave the child’s bedside to obtain food elsewhere in the hospital. They often fear that they will miss a visit from a nurse or doctor, or that something will happen in their absence.
The Financial Burden of Pediatric Hospitalizations
Pediatric hospitalizations can lead to significant financial burdens for families. These burdens extend beyond the medical costs and include things like lost wages due to parents being out of work, increased food and transportation costs, paying to park, or childcare for other children. These financial pressures often increase the barrier to food access due to lack of affordable options. Consequently, caregivers often skip meals, deciding that money spent on food in the hospital should go to other things like bills, mortgages, etc.
The Importance of Self-Care for Caregivers
Being a caregiver is an emotionally and physically demanding role. To be the best caregiver possible, parents must take care of themselves. However, during hospital stays it can be difficult and costly to maintain proper nutrition and hydration. This issue is crucial as poor nutrition and hydration can affect the caregiver’s health and thus, their ability to advocate and provide effective care for their child. Sadly, parents losing weight or skipping meals is common while caring for their child in the hospital.
Conclusion
As the literature suggests, there is a pressing need for hospitals, particularly pediatric ones, to address the issue of inpatient caregiver food insecurity. Addressing food insecurity in hospitals is not just about providing meals. It’s about recognizing and addressing the role that nutrition plays in overall health and well-being. It’s about making hospitals a place where caregivers can focus entirely on the care of their loved ones without having to worry about basic needs like food. And most importantly, it’s about ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients and their families during a challenging time.
Feeding Families Foundation’s Parent Plate Program addresses this important issue by covering the cost of caregiver meals and having those meals delivered to the hospital room so parents don’t need to leave their child’s bedside or spend money on food. We do not require forms to prove a financial need. Every family is food insecure because no parent wants to leave their child’s bedside. At Feeding Families Foundation, we believe parents should be provided with the basic need of food while caring for their critically ill child in the hospital. We are honored to support these families so they can get back to what matters most—caring for their child.