Six programs use therapy wait times with morning, short-session and ward-visit formats

Meditation, hand massage, reading and health coaching among offerings

85 percent of caregivers surveyed said they wanted to participate

Hospital plans to expand high-demand programs

A reading activity for caregivers is held at Seoul Children's Hospital. [Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]
A reading activity for caregivers is held at Seoul Children's Hospital. [Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]

Seoul Children's Hospital has launched a program giving caregivers of children undergoing long-term rehabilitation a chance to rest and recharge during their child's treatment sessions — addressing a gap in which parents and guardians, focused entirely on their sick children, have had little opportunity to tend to their own health. The initiative marks a shift toward "family-centered care," extending the hospital's attention beyond patients to the physical and mental well-being of the adults who accompany them through lengthy treatment schedules.

Ward 51 at Seoul Children's Hospital announced Sunday that it has been running six family-centered care programs this year, broadening its scope of care from patients alone to their families. The offerings include caregiver wellness sessions, health coaching, reading activities and garden programs.

Before introducing the programs, the hospital surveyed 32 caregivers and found that 85 percent expressed a willingness to participate, while 60 percent said they wanted to use their child's therapy wait time. Seventy percent said it was important that participation be low-burden and require only a short time commitment.

In response, the hospital designed the programs to run in the morning, last no more than 30 minutes, and be offered in small groups or as ward-visit sessions — so caregivers could take part without altering their child's treatment schedule or leaving the ward for extended periods.

From May through June this year, the hospital ran hand massage, tea meditation and calligraphy emotion-journaling sessions, drawing a combined 70 participants. A garden program called "Aikyum Jeongwon," in which patients and caregivers plant and tend to greenery together, drew 20 families.

The hospital also created a reading and rest space in the ward using 310 picture books donated by the Seoul Metropolitan Library. Additional sessions were held to give caregivers health management information and practical tips they can use at home, as well as guidance on navigating hospital life, handling emergencies and accessing welfare resources.

The hospital plans to continue expanding its family-centered care offerings, refining high-demand programs such as meditation and tea classes, hand massage, emotion journaling and health coaching.

"A caregiver's psychological and physical health is closely tied to the recovery of not only the patient but the entire family," a hospital official said. "We will continue to support caregivers so they can take a moment to rest and get the health information they need."


ikson@heraldcorp.com