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 1675 Dempster Street • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068 • 847.723.KIDS (5437) • TDD |
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Medical Specialties
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"Playroom Programs" Play is a natural part of a child’s life, benefiting children physically and emotionally. The Child Life Program at Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital offers a wide range of activities designed to amuse and foster a positive mental attitude in hospitalized youngsters. Infants to nine year-olds can express themselves through creative arts, discover their inner beauty with “Picture Me” therapy, move to the rhythm of dance movement therapy or participate in a variety of other fun-filled activities. Pediatric inpatient playroom activities include:
Creative Arts (Daily) Paints, playdough, shaving cream and water are some of the materials used in the creative arts program, to help children express feelings regarding treatments, exams and procedures. Creative activities involve the child’s imagination, which allow fears, concerns or anxieties to surface and be dealt with in a non-threatening environment. Drawing, storytelling and movement to music are some of the techniques incorporated into these sessions. Medical Play (Weekly) Medical play is a therapeutic play activity that provides a constructive outlet for the stresses associated with hospitalization. During medical play, children reverse roles to become the “physician” rather than the patient. Using real medical equipment, children “treat” Child Life staff or dolls and are encouraged to re-enact medical procedures. This supervised activity enables Child Life specialists to address patient’s concerns, fears and fantasies. Medical art, another form of therapeutic play, allows young patients to become more familiar and comfortable with medical supplies, by giving children the opportunity to use these supplies in creative art projects. Music Therapy (Weekly) Musicare is a healing arts program sponsored by Pastoral Care that provides many therapeutic benefits for our young patients, including:
Cooking Activities (Monthly) Children prepare simple recipes in the playroom to be enjoyed by the pediatric unit’s patients and staff. Cooking sessions include the preparation of special treats for holiday or seasonal celebrations, as well as healthful snacks combined with a lesson on good nutrition from the pediatric dietitian. This enjoyable activity also gives children the opportunity to thank staff members for taking care of them. Puppy Therapy (2x Month) Animals have been shown to have therapeutic value for patients of all ages. In puppy therapy, a dedicated volunteer brings healthy puppies from a community pet store to the pediatric unit for regular visits. This delightful program offers many benefits: Puppies aid physical and emotional recovery in young patients by encouraging interaction; puppies provide withdrawn children an incentive to return to routine behaviors and activities; playful pups also motivate as well as stimulate differently abled children to work on skills, and aid in the development of social skills for all patients. Horticulture Therapy (Monthly) Horticulture therapy brings the healing elements of nature indoors. It provides physical and psychological value to young patients, while enhancing the hospital environment. Children enjoy nurturing potted plants and completing seasonal projects using natural materials, such as making flower arrangements or designing wreaths. These projects can then be taken home with the children upon discharge. Sponsored by donated funds. Unique Entertainment (Monthly) From time to time, the pediatric unit is treated to special performances sponsored by generous community members, groups and organizations. These performances brighten our holidays as well as add cheer throughout the year. Past entertainment has included visits from clowns, puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, theater groups and celebrities. Storyteller (Monthly) Pediatric patients are enthralled with interactive storytelling sessions performed by children’s entertainer, Miss Merry Berry and Friends. Her “caring clown” philosophy brings a therapeutic element to her visits, encouraging both physical and emotional healing. Appearing as varied characters throughout the year, Miss Merry Berry enthusiastically incorporates stories, songs, puppetry, magic and artistic face painting into her routine. Her colorful attire and gentle manner have proven effective with hospitalized children and appeal to children of all ages. Sponsored by donated funds. Starlight Entertainment (Monthly) The Starlight Children’s Foundation sponsors a monthly magic show at Lutheran General Children’s Hospital. The one-hour show is performed in the playroom and offers a light-hearted diversion for pediatric patients and their families. The show’s magician also performs personal magic shows for children unable to leave their rooms. Dance Movement Therapy (Monthly) Dance movement therapy is an uplifting activity that promotes healing through movement to music. “Move It” sessions, facilitated by a registered dance movement therapist, are designed to motivate patients’ physical recovery and encourage the expression of feelings. The program’s techniques are adapted to developmental stages or physical limitations of patients to ensure a successful experience. Sponsored by donated funds. Therapeutic benefits of this innovative program include:
Laughter and good humor provide emotional and physical benefits, so Child Life offers humor therapy, a unique program that blends with other therapies within the medical setting. Child and adolescent patients and their families are amused by the antics of colorfully dressed volunteers, trained in humor therapy, as they travel from room to room throughout the pediatric and adolescent units and outpatient clinics, with a fun-filled humor cart. The humor cart is loaded with a special selection of funny jokes, silly games, goofy gags and gimmicks that elicit smiles, giggles and belly laughs wherever it goes. Specially trained LGCH volunteers also affiliated with Jewish Women International offer this program for our patients. For more information on the humor cart program please call 847.723.TOYS(8697). Theme Dinners (Quarterly) Theme dinners are special events held in the playroom, complete with decorations, party favors and various holiday themes. These dinners are offered periodically for patients and their families. “Picture Me” Photography Program (Quarterly) “Picture Me” is a unique photography program offered at Lutheran General Children’s Hospital. The goal of this program is to enhance self-esteem and positive body image in pediatric patients despite illness or injury. Professional photographers involved in the program engage patients in playful situations in an effort to capture outer images that reflect the beauty of the inner self. Black and white photographs are then printed on a flat finish paper to allow patients to hand color details and add personal touches to each portrait. Sponsored by donated funds. Smudge Art Therapy Group (Monthly) Smudge Art Therapy gives pediatric and adolescent patients the opportunity to examine their feelings and explore the hospital environment through artistic expression, in both individual and group settings. Led by an art therapist, this activity provides an outlet for fears and concerns related to an illness or hospital stay. Art therapy also gives patients a sense of control and accomplishment by allowing for nonverbal, less threatening forms of communication. For more information on any of the programs held in the playroom call 847.723.TOYS(8697). Community Involvement Child and Teen Life programs and activities are supported by generous contributions from community members, organizations and area businesses. Click here to learn how you can help support the Child Life Program at Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital. |
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