Things to pack and do for Hospital Stays

Strange things can bring a bright smile and fun to a patients life. So if you are a VISITOR to someone in hospital, or are expecting an extended stay then think of things like the following to help brighten the long days.

• A simple cheap beach ball, blown up and bounced about can make even the most down patient laugh sometimes. This can serve 2 purposes Fun and physio, makign the paitent move about (within there phycial limits), from bed, chair, wheelchair etc.
• Bubbles - yes kids bubble blowing solution and wands. Again cheap and FUN. This can serve 2 purposes, fun and it helps with lung function post operatively and when in bed for  a long time.
• A deck of cards. Great for playing solitaire when alone, poker/ go fishetc etc when you have someone to share it with (fellow patient, family, friends etc), or making a card house etc.
• Think of something other than the usual flowers, that die off as a gift, for a recovering patient. Thing of soemthing fun, colourful, and that they can see or use while in hospital. Maybe a plush/soft toy flower (they are cute, have smiley/funny faces and can we twisted about bed frames, IV poles etc). Gift basket of pretty toiletries (moisturiser, soap, shampoo, conditioner, perfume etc). A potted plant that wont die in a few days (but PLEASE check with the ward first because some wards do not allow pot plants due to the risk of infection from the soil.
• Some blu tack to stick cards, pictures etc up where the patient can see them.
• Think of things to do to break the monotoney and boredom of Hospital. Bring in a picnic lunch and share it (even if this has to be done on the ward, or in the patients room a pretty tablecloth on the bed or a spare table will do), or if it is a nice day see if you can get permission to take the patient down to a grassy area of the hospital (or even just to a seating area). Bring some special food (exotic, favourites, even simple take away) as long as it doesn't come from the hospital kitchen or cafe, and drinks (check with their medical team IN ADVANCE to make sure there are no dietary restrictions and if you like see if you can get permission for them to have a glass of wine or champagne etc (BUT PLEASE ask first as alcohol can have devistating side effects with some medications). Pretty napkins, and crockery and cutlery, a pretty tablecloth and/or picnic blanket. Even a simple fish and chips and soft drink or take away outside sitting in a wheelchair can be a HUGE boost.
• Ask if you are allowed to take the patient off the ward, maybe for a walk (or push of the wheelchair) around outside inthe hospital grounds, or even around the hospital corridors outside of there ward can be a huge boost. cabin fever is a VERY real thing and staring at the same walls day in day out can make the sanest person go a little stir crazy, and if you have been stuck inside a hospital for a few days (or longer) then a brief trip outside is an AMAZING thing, to feel the wind and sin, smell the air and flowers, see the sky and everything - AMAZING. IN some cases you can even get permisson to take them on release off the hospital grouns for an hour, couple of hours or for a day trip (when I was a kid I spent 2 months in hospital and my Mum was sometimes allowed to take me out on day release, with my wheelchair and all, this felt like an adventure and the best day ever (we only went home and did what we would normally do if I was home, had homecooked meals, watch tv, did puzzles, sat in the backyard and watched the dog play etc, but for me after weeks inthe hospital this was like heaven, No nurses, or Doctors or tests, or observations, or eing checked on, or talked at, or poked or prodded etc etc. HEAVEN (I remember it to this day and it was nearly 30 years ago).
• If they have a pet see if you are allowed to bring it to the hospital for a visit (not onto the ward but outside, and to bring them down to say hello to there pet dog etc (for many people (me included) my dog is my fur baby, our child, and I miss her terribly when away from her, having her visit really brightens my day. My hubby brings her in the car (having organised the day before (if the weather is fine) for me to be allowed to leave the ward, usually in a wheelchair. He then takes me outside and parks me somewhere nice in the sun and on the grass and then goes and gets our fur baby out of the car and brings her to me. We spend as long as we can togehter (or as long as I can take being up/ out etc) and then he puts the dogback int he car and takes me back to the ward. Where I wash up (have to be careful of germs in hospitals and consious of other paitents etc (I washed my hands with the pink waterless ahndwash the in at the entrance and through hospitals these days) and then Iactually showered and changed my clothes when I got back to my shared room). but what a LOVELY time.
• Wrap up a small bunch of "lucky dip" gifts, little things that they can open when lonely or down. Things like lipstick, maybe a new nail polish, or little facial kit (cleanser, toner, moisturiser), lollies, chocolates, small craft projects, puzzles, play dough (yes even for the grown ups, this can be FUN stuff), bubble blowing solution (again very fun, and great for the lungs). Just  take into consideration things like any allergies they may have and that if they are going through chemo etc, then anything strongly scented (or your favourit scent) is NOT advised, what surgery or illness they have etc.

OK I will add more when I find the rest of the stuff I have (if there is anymore). If not then I hope some of this is helpful to someone.