Abstract
When a seriously ill and dying parent is hospitalized, the families are at risk of developing problems. Only sparse evidence is available on the effects of creating family-friendly rooms in hospitals. This study investigates how a seriously ill parent to children aged 0-18 experiences staying in a hospital room with family-friendly furnishing. From September 2012 to September 2015, seriously ill and dying patients with children ages 0-18 were offered the opportunity to stay in a family-friendly room at the North Denmark Regional Hospital. The sick parents were interviewed about how the changed room impacted themselves, their children, and their family. The analysis led to three themes: (1) The ability to visit a sick parent, (2) maintaining family functions and relationships, and (3) room for children and adults. By offering the families a hospital room with cozy furniture and a big TV screen, seriously ill parents see that their children are more comfortable when visiting the hospital. A family-friendly hospital is not just an idealistic thought, it is a real opportunity to improve the final period of a dying parent's life.
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