Things to pack and do for Hospital Stays

If they have been in hospital for a while or are down, try decorating their room to brighten their day (yes it can be a little childish (but we call all do with a little childishness in our lives) but it can bring a smile to someone, and it is better than looking at a BORING, DRAB hospital room). Make sure you check with staff first to make sure it is OK, and be safe by making sure there are no tripping or fire hazards and that access can still be gained to all of the medical equipment. Respect the hospital rules. Sticky tape can pull off paint, so use blu tack instead. Crepe paper is cheap, colourful, light and can be used in MANY ways. Curling ribbon is not just for gift wrapping. Decorate balloons with texta's and stickers.

Decorating themes could include, but are not limited to:-

- Aquariums/ Oceans/ Under the sea - think fishes, seaweed, water (things like blue cellophane on the window, paper fishes from every surface and the roof too if possible, streamer seaweed, use bubble wrap and curling ribbon to make jelly fish etc you could even bring in a gold fish in a little bowl as a gift (but check with staff if this is allowed first), it is AMAZING how having something living to care for can make things seem better.

- Circus - print out picture of circus animals off the internet, colouring books, magazines and colour in (or have the kids colour in etc) etc, stuffed animals, crepe paper clowns etc

- Jungle - crepe paper leaves and trees, vine streamers, paper animals (snakes, birds, monkeys, etc etc), flowers (real/ artifical/ paper/ 2D crepe paper/ magazine pictures, print outs etc), stuffed animals, etc etc

- Dinosaurs/ The lost world - paper dinosaurs, cheap plastic dinosaurs, crepe paper volcanos, crepe paper trees (palms etc) etc etc

- Princesses - Think royal, corwns, tiaras, uy a plastic crown or tiara for the patient and a sceptre and even a little cape that they can wear witting up in bed. etc etc

- Colours - pick one or more and go wild.

- Exotic/ Treasure/ Paradise Island or Hawaii - crepe paper palm trees, floral lei's, Cheap grass skirts (hang on the walls), coconuts etc etc

- Day Spa -  Decorate and then pamper the patient with a massage (body, hand, foot, scalp (what ever you can do and they want), facial, manicure, pedicure etc. These can all be done with the paitent in bed.

- Garden -Flowers, trees, parasols, kites etc etc (a great way to bring a little of the outside inside, espcially for the immune compromised patient with an infection who is not allowed outside - provided they are not in isolation or ICU of course).

- Holidays/ Special Days/ Birthdays/ Anniversaries etc - If they are going to be in hospital during a special event then decorate there room to highlight that event, be it Valentine's Day, Easter, Australia Day, Anzac Day, Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Rememberance Day (think red poppies and Rosemary), New Years, Christmas in July etc etc.

The only limit is your imagination and budget and what is allowed by the hospital.

When my Mum was in hospital for an extended period we made up a sign for  her room door (she was in a private room, due to her risk of infection). It said "OLOGISTS Convention" (she had so many doctors seeing her - cardiol-ogists, dermatol-ogists, rheumatol-ogists, oncol-ogists, radiol-ogists etc etc) She and all of the staff thought it was hilarious and true too. It gave Mum something to smile and giggle about and a NON medical thing to talk to visitors, staff and specialists about.