Need ideas for a hospital care package (not for patient/for the wife of patient)

[lecach]

My Dad is in the hospital - today is his 5th day in ICU. He's going to be there awhile. I'm going to put together a care package for my stepmom. She's spending a lot of time there and I really appreciate everything she's doing. I have the following ideas - any other suggestions?

Wine
Eye mask for the nights she stays over
granola bars
individual packets of nuts
book of puzzles

 

[DisneyTeacher]

A deck of cards, a cheap hand held game, a couple of individual packages of cookies, a bag of chex mix, a travel package of wet wipes, a couple bottles of water, a small notebook and pen to keep track of all the information she will hear, lip balm, a package of thank you notes or blank cards and stamps, magazines, a bag of hard candy or a mix of mini candy bars, a box of good tissue and a tote bag to keep all of it in.

And maybe some ones and quarters for the vending machine.

 

[mickeyboat]

My Dad is in the hospital - today is his 5th day in ICU. He's going to be there awhile. I'm going to put together a care package for my stepmom. She's spending a lot of time there and I really appreciate everything she's doing. I have the following ideas - any other suggestions?

Wine
Eye mask for the nights she stays over
granola bars
individual packets of nuts
book of puzzles

I am sorry your dad is not doing well. I hope he is feeling better, soon.

I would include

A case of bottled water or a nice re-fillable water bottle
Earplugs
Chapstick
More wine

eta - also make sure she has the phone numbers of anyone she might need to contact while she is at the hospital. Or you can offer to be the person to call everyone. Make her a card or offer to put them all in her phone.

 

[anniemae]

how about a gift card to a restaurant or coffee shop near the hospital. That way she can get a good meal and a change of scenery.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I have made several goody bags for spouses lately, sadly.

I have thrown in magazines like People, Real Simple, All You and other generic magazines. I put in the snacks you mentioned and also included some dollar movie theater candy and some boxes of drink mix you put into water.

One of the handy things was the magnetic list pads so when someone thinks of a question, it can be jotted down and stay in one place.

I also included a nail square pad with the different sides to fix nails and a small coffee giftcard.

ETA: oopps forgot to add for one spouse I included a cuddly throw blanket because she was talking about how cold the hospital room is.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Soft clothing that looks like clothing, but is comfortable enough to sleep in. For example, comfy Tshirts and yoga pants, that kind of thing.

Maybe an audio book credit to download something to her cell phone?

 

[disneyfreakk]

Do they have a starbucks at that hospital? I was thinking a gift card for coffee would be nice! We all know how bad hospital coffee is!

I think that is a very nice thing you are doing for your step mother! Hope your dad feels better soon. *HUGS*

 

[sbtrfly74]

I'm sorry your dad isnt doing well.

I spent 6 weeks everyday visiting my DH in the ICU and am trying to think of what I could have used. I didnt spend any time reading books, on a laptop or anything like that. The first hospital he was at had weird visiting hours so 2 hrs then and hour break and sometimes I would come back for another 2 hrs. So the gift cards for local restaurants would be a great idea.

I had him flown to a better hospital which I could visit anytime I wanted but they didnt recommend certain hours for shift change, bathing, etc. My other thought is preparing dinners/lunches if you live close that she could freeze and make later. Maybe a gas gift card also. Its very stressful and I hope he isnt there long.

 

[lecach]

Great suggestions everyone! Keep them coming. I've added quite a few things to my list already.

Earplugs are a great idea - when Dad is able to talk again my step mother will probably get an earful . Especially once Dad realizes they took most of his teeth (they didn't warn him of that - but his surgery was on a tumor on his tongue and the teeth had to go)..

I'll have to check on what is available at the hospital. Dad is at NC Baptist in Winston Salem if anyone is familiar with that.

 

[ChristineNic]

Cash in small bills/change. Hospital cafeterias have really odd hours. When DH was in the hospital and stayed longer than expected, I was so frustrated because I only had a $20 and a debit card.

Puzzle book - crossword, sudoku, logic puzzles and automatic pencils.

Also, Ensure or other protein shakes/bars. I'm sure your dad won't be eating when he wakes up. DH also had oral surgery; I survived on meal replacement shakes and bars because I didn't want him to see me eating while he was unable to eat.

I hope your father recovers quickly and with no complications.

 

[disneyhand]

Great ideas so far. Here are a couple I didn't notice yet.

Warm fuzzy socks, my feet always feel cold at hospitals for extended hours

A thermos and travel cup. I liked to take my own coffee

Hand lotion

Breath mints

This is a very nice thing to do OP! I'm sure she will appreciate it.

 

[hops&dreams]

I noticed someone said a quilt, but how about a quillow? It's a blanket (quilt) that folds into a pillow. It can be used for either one, and when it's put away, it looks like a pillow, so it's not all messy. Also, when you are using it as a blanket, you can tuck your feet into the pocket and keep them cozy. I've only ever seen/given/recieved home-made ones, so I don't know where you'd get one.

When my mom was in the ICU, we did lots of puzzles. like 1,000 piece puzzles. I agree with the chapstick and bottled water - the recirculated air made me so dry. Also, hand sanitizer - I used it constantly. Get one that smells nice, as she'll leave there smelling antiseptic-y enough.

Another one is a gift card to a local bakery or donut shop - she can get something for the nurses every once in a while. When my mom was in, we brought something in at least once a day, and rotated which shift we'd bring it for (so we weren't always feeding the days staff, or the 3-11ers). My parents and sister are all nurses - they knew the way to their hearts!

Hope your dad is better soon.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Does she have an iPad?

 

[sandynd]

I think you've gotten lots of really good ideas here, and you're very sweet to do this!

I found when my DH was in the hospital, some things I could have used were gas cards to get back and forth (we live an hour and a half away from the only hospital that can treat him) and a parking pass or parking vouchers. That adds up really quickly when you're off work. Also, some homemade microwave meals in a cooler bag with an ice pak would be awesome. The coffee shop food gets repetitive and gross really quickly, the cafeteria is open weird hours (yeah, I noticed that too - definitely not thinking about customer service there!!) but the microwave is usually in a public area you can get to, and some good food really makes things feel better for a while. A travel alarm clock if she doesn't use her phone for this - sometimes when you sneak away for a nap, you need to be woken up or you'll be out for the day. Definitely a travel pillow / sleeping bag - finding comfortable spots to sleep is almost impossible, but if you do, not having a pillow and blanket doesn't help.
Maybe you could check and see what needs doing at the house, also? My neighbour dropped off some food and did the dishes I didn't have time to get to. I got home that night knowing I had to get them done, only to see they were all done. I cried.

 

[sbtrfly74]

Maybe you could check and see what needs doing at the house, also? My neighbour dropped off some food and did the dishes I didn't have time to get to. I got home that night knowing I had to get them done, only to see they were all done. I cried.

This is priceless... my parents who were watching my 3 kids during my ordeal cleaned my house before my DH was allowed to come home. One time my DD mentioned I didnt need to go to the hospital every single day.... I broke out in tears. I almost lost it when my DH was finally awake and had no clue who I was but wanted to come home with me anyways lol.

Are your parents retired? Maybe offer to send payments for utilities or bills? My DH was out of work for 9 months after, so depending on if he works or not it is a huge impact to keep things going....

 

[Poohforyou]

I'm sorry about your dad. I find lots of buildings are kept so cold in the summer. I'd consider getting a light weight shawl that she could throw around her shoulders. Hard candies, trail mix and a bunch of magazines would be helpful as well.

 

[Mom21]

I called my mom tonight as both she and my dad have spent time in this hospital. They live in Statesville, so the one time I was told my dad wouldn't make it, I went up there and stayed in a hotel near there. I didn't really remember much as it was a few stressful days. My mom said a small coffee shop but nothing like a starbucks, plus she said not much around that you would be able to get to without driving. She said the ladies in the gift shop were very sweet (hey it's NC. All old ladies are sweet....Ok well most are). She suggesting calling and ask for gift shop and see if they had any ideas of things they see people needing or asking about as they likely have would know.

BTW my daddy made it. My sister and I say my parents hate each other so much neither will die first because that means the other one won.

 

[sharbear]

Make sure nothing smelly. Meaning lotion or anything like that. Scents are not tolerated in the ICU.

 

[TLuvsD]

You've gotten a lot of good ideas. I'd add hand santizer (D loves the ones from Bath and Bodyworks), warm socks with grippy bottoms (won't slip on the hospital floor), some Advil, and some quarters.

If you live nearby, or when you visit clean out the refrig (in case she hasn't gotten home in a while, not suggesting it's dirty or anything) and take out the trash.

I hope your dad's recovery goes smoothly. It is really nice of you to think of your stepmother at this difficult time.

 

[ilovepcot]

Dad is at NC Baptist in Winston Salem if anyone is familiar with that.

I am (NC native) and it's a very nice hospital. Good wishes for you, your dad and stepmom.