Mindful Minutes
Taking time for yourself can be difficult when you’re taking care of your child. Mindful minutes is a resource created by Child Life to improve a caregiver or parents wellness according to the amount of time available, activities below range from 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes:
If you have five minutes…
- Take a lap around the unit.
- Meditate in your room.
- Visit the Family Lounge and make a cup of coffee or tea.
If you have 15 minutes…
- Visit the Cafeteria or Starbucks to get a coffee or a small bite to eat.
- Stop by the Gift Shop and browse.
- Walk from the Main Lobby to the East Lobby and back.
- Walk from the East Lobby to the Main Lobby and back.
- Visit the Emily Center to pick out a book or magazine to take back to your room.
If you have 30 minutes…
- Take a walk/ lap around the outside of the hospital. (1 mile)
View Map - Pick up food from the Cafeteria and enjoy it on the outside patio.
- Visit the Rooftop Getaway on the 3rd Floor of the Main Building and get some fresh air.
- Arrange for a visit from a member of the Pastoral Care team.
- Look up a yoga video on YouTube and practice in your room.
If you have an hour…
- Spend some time in the chapel.
For Your Body
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus, 3rd Floor, Main Building
Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Description: A shaded outdoor space where patients and caregivers can get some fresh air or take a short stroll
For Your Mind
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus, 1st Floor, East Building (across from The Zone)
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed on holidays
Description: A learning center that is staffed by registered nurses who provide customized health information and resources to adults and children both inside the hospital and throughout the state of Arizona.
Resources:
- Relaxation Room - An escape for caregivers that includes a massage chair, virtual-reality goggles, and access to programs that help to lower stress and promote mindfulness practices.
- Learning Studio - Families requiring more information about a diagnosis, treatment options, an upcoming surgery, etc., can meet privately with an Emily Center nurse or healthcare provider in the Learning Studio, which includes access to 3D model organs and a software program called Visible Body, which allows for interactive learning.
- Kids’ Cove - An area for children that includes books, interactive multimedia programs, and access to mindfulness resources.
- Business Center - Caregivers looking to stay connected to their home/work life have access to laptops, wifi, a printer/scanner/copier, and a fax machine. A notary is available for families who require one.
How to contact: Walk in, or a referral can be made by your nurse or physician.
Locations and Hours:
- Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Phoenix Children's Emergency Department - Avondale Campus: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Phoenix Children's Specialty Care - Arrowhead Campus: Daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Description: Social workers offer emotional and coping support by
- Assessing families
- Offering opportunities to process thoughts and feelings about a hospitalization or situation
- Recognizing strengths and barriers to successful coping
- Providing encouragement
- Identifying coping skills and outlets for stress relief
- Facilitating communication between families and the medical team
- Assisting with the acquisition of financial and community resources
How to contact: A referral can be made by your nurse or physician.
For Your Spirit
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus
Hours: Daily 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., on call 4 p.m.-7 a.m.
Description: Chaplains can provide spiritual support at your child’s bedside, as an integrated part of the care team throughout rounds, care conferences and ethical consults. At your request, a chaplain can also connect you with your own faith community.
Resources:
- Interfaith Chapel - Open daily, 24 hours a day, on the 1st Floor of the East Building, just past the Emily Center.
- Mass - A Catholic Mass is celebrated every other Saturday, first in English, and then in Spanish.
How to contact: Referrals can be made through your nurse or doctor.
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus
Hours: vary
Description: Handlers and owners facilitate therapeutic interactions between patients, family members, and animals.
Resources:
- Trading Cards - AAT trading cards are provided at the conclusion of an interaction and provide a tangible memory of time spent with a therapy animal.
Other Resources
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus, Main Building
Hours: Daily 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (office), resources times vary
Description: Volunteer Services staff help to coordinate service for our guests.
Resources:
- Coffee Cart - complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cookies for patients, families, and staff
- Family Care Cart - complimentary toiletries and comfort items for caregivers
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus, 1st Floor, East Building (near the Rehabilitation Unit)
Hours: year-round, by appointment
Description: An in-hospital school staffed by certified teachers who help to bridge the gap between the hospital and school during prolonged stays.
Resources:
- One-on-One Tutoring - for students in grades Kindergarten through 12.
How to contact: A referral can be made by your nurse or physician.
Locations and Hours:
- Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus, Main Building: Daily, with varying hours depending on the unit
- Phoenix Children's Emergency Department - Avondale Campus: Daily 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
- Phoenix Children's Specialty Care - Arrowhead Campus: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Description: Child life specialists are tasked with meeting the psycho-social needs of patients and families through the provision of procedural preparation and support, diagnosis education, and medical/therapeutic play. Child life assistants help to facilitate play opportunities for the purpose of normalization and to support patients’ typical development.
Resources:
- Playrooms - hours vary by location
How to contact: A referral can be made by your nurse or physician.
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital - Thomas Campus, 1st Floor of East Building
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Description: A play/event space for non-isolation patients ages 6 and older and their families*. Prior approval from medical staff is required.
Resources:
• CLZTV - A closed-circuit television channel that broadcasts programming intended for patients and their families on Channel 94.
• Guided Morning Stretch - Tune in daily to channel 94 at 8:30am to learn the Move One Million routine, which is designed to help reduce stress.
• Guided Relaxation- Tune in daily at 7:30pm and 9:30pm to engage in a guided relaxation exercise.
• Special Events - The Zone hosts monthly birthday parties and other themed events and holiday gatherings. These are typically open to patients of all ages with their families.
Information about special events is communicated via flyers, which are handed out on the days of the events. Some examples of events that have been held previously include parent massages, haircuts, Parent Nights, Family Fun Nights, Young Arts classes, Karaoke nights, Musicians on Call, Microsoft Exploration, as well as visits from athletes, performers, and superheroes.
*Siblings must be accompanied by a caregiver.