Visiting a loved one in the hospital after they have a SCI can cost a lot of money beyond just emotional stress. Here are some common costs that families might have to pay: 

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• Travel and Accommodation

  • ​Costs for gas, public transportation (bus, train), taxis, or ride-sharing services for each visit to the hospital. If the hospital is far away, these costs can add up really fast, especially if you visit often.

  • Daily or hourly parking fees at the hospital can be a lot, especially if you’re there for a long time. Some hospitals might have passes for a whole week or month that costs less, so it’s a good idea to ask about those. 

  • If the family lives far from the hospital, they might need to pay for a hotel or another temporary place to stay so they can be close to their loved one. This can cost a lot of money, especially if the person stays in the hospital for a long time. Sometimes, there are places like the Ronald McDonald House (for families with children) or other hospitality houses near hospitals. These places might let families stay for less money or even for free.However, there might not always be enough room for everyone.

• Food

  • ​The food at the hospital's cafeteria or from vending machines can cost a lot of money. It might not always be the best food or very healthy either. If family members spend many hours visiting, they can end up spending a lot on these meals.

  • If family members are staying in hotels or are too tired to cook after seeing their loved one, they might buy food from restaurants, costing money. 

  • Even though bringing food from home can save money, you still have to buy the groceries and spend time making the meals. 

• Lost Income

  • ​Family members might need to take time off from their jobs to visit the person in the hospital. This is especially true if the patient needs a lot of help or if important choices about their medical care need to be made. Taking time off can mean they lose money they would have earned, or they have to use their vacation or sick days.

  • Some family members might even start working fewer hours or quit their jobs completely to take care of and help their loved one during a long hospital stay. This can cause problems with their money for a long time and affect how much they earn in the future.

• Other Expenses

  • ​Some family members might even start working fewer hours or quit their jobs completely to take care of and help their loved one during a long hospital stay. This can cause problems with their money for a long time and affect how much they earn in the future.

  • Families might make more phone calls, send more texts, or use more internet to talk to other family members and help plan care. These can add to their phone bill or internet costs.

  • It's very stressful and sad when someone you love is in the hospital. Sometimes, this stress can be so big that family members might need to talk to a counselor or get other help for their feelings, resulting in cost. 

  • When someone is away from home for a long time in the hospital, other things at home might still need attention. There could be unexpected costs for fixing things or other needs around the house that the person in the hospital usually took care of.

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