Extended stays

Driving by our local mega-health care facility yesterday and noticed something in their parking lot - several RVs and 5th wheel travel trailers. My first thought was construction offices but their latest project is long since done.

Then it hit me what they probably represent - families of people who are in the hospital for long periods of time.

We have a Ronald McDonald house already for parents of ill children.

But I've never thought about where people stayed when their spouse, child or loved one was hospitalized - until yesterday. What I usually see are people sacked out on couches, recliners in rooms or the occasional friendly nurse who allows an empty bed to be used - but what hospital has any empty bed these days?

My second thought is why doesn't every hospital set up an area for RVs and trailers and such? All that is needed is a little electricity, some way to dispose of waster water and a flat paved spot. Two of those three should be a piece of cake.

Another local hospital actually has a hotel inside but that involves considerable personal expense unless it is just for a day or two.

We'll see how many health care places run with my idea. Maybe some already have.