{"id":106167,"date":"2021-07-12T15:42:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T15:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maryfreebed.com?page_id=106167"},"modified":"2025-10-14T19:25:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T19:25:41","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-kids-child.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-106167","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"body_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_group","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"text_holder":{"heading":"Frequently Asked Questions","content":""},"accordion_item":[{"accordion_title":"Can I stay with my child while they\u2019re at Mary Free Bed?","accordion_content":"We make it as easy as possible for you and your child to spend time together.\r\n\r\nThere are some situations where we might need to control how you interact with your child to ensure the best outcome for them, such as complex pain disorders. If this is the case, the treating team will discuss the treatment approach with you and help you come up with a plan that best meets your child\u2019s needs.\r\n\r\nAll of our rooms are equipped with a sofa that converts to a comfortable bed to accommodate one parent overnight at the child\u2019s bedside. Your child\u2019s nurse may have to visit the room throughout the night to provide the best possible care. Talk to the nursing staff if you have questions about what to expect when bunking with your child overnight.\r\n\r\nOther local lodging choices available to you and your family include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan, 1323 Cedar St., Grand Rapids. This nearby house can function as your home away from home. It\u2019s a comfortable space open to both you and your child\u2019s siblings. A shuttle service can transport you between the house and Mary Free Bed \u2014 you won\u2019t even have to worry about traffic or parking.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The Inn at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/get-care\/\">Mary Free Bed<\/a>, on campus. These affordable, on-site rooms are available on a limited basis to families like yours.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Nearby hotels. Many accessible hotel rooms are conveniently located near the hospital.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe nurse liaison who helped admit your child or our pediatric care manager can help you decide what works best for family. He or she can also help make arrangements with the lodging you choose."},{"accordion_title":"When am I allowed to visit my child, and can I be there for therapy?","accordion_content":"Parents are not considered \u201cvisitors\u201d at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/about-mary-free-bed\/\">Mary Free Bed Kids<\/a>. You\u2019re free to be with your child whenever you\u2019d like, with a few exceptions. There may be situations where it\u2019s best for your child to limit when you can visit, but we\u2019ll talk to you about those.\r\n\r\nDepending on your child\u2019s age, bedtime routines may begin anytime between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. We know this can be a treasured bonding time for you and your child, with beloved rituals, like story time, singing lullabies or other nightly routines. Talk to your child\u2019s nurse about what you may be able to do to be involved in your child\u2019s nighttime care routine."},{"accordion_title":"Can my other children come visit their sibling at Mary Free Bed?","accordion_content":"Yes! Your child\u2019s siblings are more than welcome to visit their brother or sister. The best time for that is between 4 and 8 p.m.\r\n\r\nYoung children should always be accompanied and supervised by an adult. For safety considerations, children who are 18 years or younger are generally not permitted to stay overnight with their brother or sister."},{"accordion_title":"Are extended family members and friends allowed to visit my child?","accordion_content":"We welcome family friends and other relatives to visit your child during his or her stay. We have a few guidelines to help your child get the most out of rehabilitation:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Visiting hours for family friends and extended family are generally 4-8 p.m, depending on your child\u2019s therapy schedule.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Extended visiting hours may be available on weekends.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>We try to protect Sundays for family time, leisure activities and rest as much as possible.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nVisiting hours may be adjusted to ensure your child is getting plenty of rest."},{"accordion_title":"How long will my child have to stay in inpatient rehabilitation?","accordion_content":"Every child is different and your child\u2019s recovery time may vary significantly from others. Your child\u2019s length of stay depends on many factors, like the severity of his or her condition, specific goals, the rate of progress and even the availability of continued therapies after graduation from the inpatient hospital phase of rehabilitation.\r\n\r\nYour child\u2019s rehabilitation team will talk with you about a timeline based on the circumstances unique to your child."},{"accordion_title":"Who will be involved in my child\u2019s treatment and care?","accordion_content":"Your child will be cared for by a dedicated team of experts who work exclusively with children and teens. This group of professionals typically includes pediatric rehabilitation doctors, nurses, therapists, care managers, psychologists, dietitians, technicians and other specialists as needed depending on what\u2019s most helpful for your child. This may include a teacher, orthotist, equipment specialist, spiritual adviser and more.\r\n\r\nParents, too, play an important role throughout the rehabilitation process. While being \u201cmom\u201d or \u201cdad\u201d comes first, there are many aspects of care and exercise that parents will be involved in. You will have many opportunities to meet and form connections with the people who\u2019ll play an important role in your child\u2019s rehabilitation."},{"accordion_title":"What will my child be doing every day?","accordion_content":"Your child\u2019s rehabilitation team works together to develop and adapt an individualized plan. This plan will be unique to your child.\r\n\r\nEvery day will begin much like it does at home \u2013 with morning routines such as brushing teeth and getting cleaned up, getting dressed and eating breakfast. Any member of the team may be involved in the morning routines. Morning is also a time when medications are given, and other special nursing care needs are addressed. The pediatric rehabilitation doctor does a daily check-up each morning.\r\n\r\nTherapies are spread throughout the morning and afternoon, with breaks for rest, meals, snacks and even for play or leisure. Therapy comes first, and our pediatric therapists know how to incorporate fun, play and sports into therapy. But kids also need time to just be kids!\r\n\r\nOur pediatric unit has treatment gyms and social spaces designed just for children or teenagers. There are a wide variety of games and activities available in the social spaces, including air hockey, a Wii Fun Station and more.\r\n\r\nRecreational therapy takes place everywhere \u2013 even out in the community. For many of our pediatric patients, the swimming pool, visits with therapy pets and recreation outings are favorite parts of their stay.\r\n\r\nRest assured, your child will have time to play, socialize and interact with family, friends and other young children or teenage patients. We\u2019ve even designated Sundays for family, social and leisure time. We try to keep therapies to a minimum on that day."},{"accordion_title":"Will my child be around people his or her own age?","accordion_content":"Kids want to be around other children and teenagers want to be around other teenagers, especially those who have similar challenges. Your child or teen will be in a dedicated pediatric and adolescent unit where he or she can be around other kids or teens.\r\n\r\nWhile our private rooms are great for quiet rest and relaxation, there are many opportunities and spaces where they can hang out with other pediatric or adolescent patients. We have laptops that your child can use to connect with friends.\r\n\r\nOur recreational therapists even arrange to meet up with your child\u2019s friends at favorite local hangouts, such as the mall, movies, restaurants, parks and fishing spots. Parents tell us this is an important feature of their son\u2019s or daughter\u2019s rehabilitation experience.\r\n\r\nOur <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/locations\/\">hospital<\/a> also has wonderful spaces where parents can gather with other parents of hospitalized children to share experiences and support."},{"accordion_title":"Can I spend time with my child away from the hospital?","accordion_content":"It can be very therapeutic for you and your child to spend time together away from the hospital. This may happen during recreational or occupational therapy.\r\n\r\nYou may also request the opportunity to take your son or daughter out on a \u201cpass.\u201d This can help prepare you and your child for graduation and life outside the hospital.\r\n\r\nYour child\u2019s care manager can talk to you about the requirements for day and evening passes and what\u2019s necessary to prepare for a home visit or community outing."},{"accordion_title":"Can I bring home-cooked meals or takeout for my child?","accordion_content":"If your child has special dietary needs or concerns, please let us know. Your child\u2019s dietitian will work with you and your child\u2019s team to meet your child\u2019s needs. There is a special pediatric menu designed to offer healthy meal choices that have proven to be high on \u201ckid-appeal.\u201d\r\n\r\nCafeteria passes may be available to your child as an occasional alternative to meal trays delivered to his or her room. Your child\u2019s nurse, dietitian or nutrition assistant can provide you with more information about these."}]}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/106167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106167"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/106167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125029,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/106167\/revisions\/125029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}