Family Support & Hospitality

Family support is important to a patient's healing, and we recognize that having a loved one in the hospital can be a difficult time for you. Our staff is here to help support you as you support your loved one during this time. Volunteers in our Family Outreach Program are available to offer you comfort and support while your family member is hospitalized.

Services Provided

Harp Service
Enjoy soothing harp music in our first floor hospital lobby. Harpist plays weekly, on Wednesday or Thursday during the noon time hour.

Complimentary Newspapers
Stop by the Volunteer Services office, Suite B-791, from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday for a free newspaper. We will also deliver a complimentary
paper to you in the family waiting area or the room of your family member.
Call (310) 267-8180.

Concierge Service
Located on the first floor across from the Surgical Waiting Area (Maddie's Room), the service provides assistance with local restaurants, stores, transportation, hotel accommodations, religious services, etc. Fax and copier services also are available. A Volunteer Ambassador is available to assist you Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Family Comfort Care Kits
Kits including water and snacks, a notebook and pen, among other items, are distributed daily to patient families. You may also pick up a kit (one per family, please) in the Volunteer Services office, Suite B-791.

Wireless Internet
Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hospital. Stop by the information or Concierge desk to obtain a user name and password.

Crossword Puzzles, Sudoku, Playing Cards and Magazines
Call Volunteer Services at (310) 267-8180 or come to the office in Suite B-791 from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday to ask for one of these items.

People Animal Connection (PAC)
Volunteers with People-Animal Connection will bring a trained
canine friend to visit with patients and their families. Visits with a comfort animal have been shown to relieve stress and contribute to healing. To request a visit, call Ext. 7-8184. www.uclahealth.org/PAC

Spiritual Care
An interfaith Meditation Room/Chapel is available for private prayer and meditation 24 hours a day. It is located on the first floor, just inside the main hospital entrance, Room 1109. Religious services are available in the hospital and on campus. www.uclahealth.org/SpiritualCare

Tips for Caregivers

• Caregiving is a job. Reward yourself with breaks often.
• Watch out for signs of depression, and don't delay in getting professional help when you need it.
• When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things that they can do.
• Educate yourself about your loved one's condition and how to communicate effectively with doctors.
• There is a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one's independence.
• Trust your instincts. Most of the time, they will lead you in the right direction.
• Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.
• Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen.

People come to us when they are most vulnerable. With our foundation of outstanding academic and community medicine, cutting-edge technologies and first-rate facilities in Westwood and Santa Monica, we pledge to treat every patient who enters our hospitals as we would a member of our own families.

Volunteer Services office
757 Westwood Plaza, Suite B-791
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7403
www.uclahealth.org/volunteer

Frequently Called Numbers

Concierge Desk
(310) 267-9115 or
(310) 267-8180

Information Desk East
(310) 267-9119

Interpreter Service
(310) 267-8001

Gift Shop
(310) 267-9522

Patient Affairs
(310) 267-9113

Social Services
(310) 267-9700

Spiritual Care
(310) 825-7484

Volunteer Services
(310) 267-8180