What can I take to the hospital?

[luvmy3jewels]

A close relative's dh is in critical condition in a hospital over an hour away from home. I am going to visit them tonight and would like to bring something, but have no idea what they may need. Does anyone have any suggestions? Flowers or a card just seem so inadequate.

 

[Chelley00]

I have a friend who has a son who constantly needs to be hospitalized. I try and take her a small box of muffins from our local bakery. Something healthy that she can either eat for breakfast, or snack on as she needs.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Call and ask what she needs. I can tell you that I am the type to never answer that question but when my husband was in the hospital I became the type who just came out and asked for what I needed--food, diet coke, a change of clothes, a pillow. If you have access to her house (did she leave a key with a neighbor) she might really need something in particular from home.

Otherwise, food that can sit out until needed will likely be appreciated. Magazines too.

 

[laurie31]

A small basket of healthy snacks. It's expensive to eat out 3 meals a day and vending machines are usually all junk food. Fruit, granola bars, nuts, etc. even bottled water or other drinks.

Money for the cafeteria/parking/vending/laundry. (many hospitals have pay washers and dryers).

A magazine or book, or a puzzle magazine. Sometimes you need a mental break.

Lotion or hand cream. Washing your hands a lot drys them out.

And as a pp said, asking what they would like is a good idea too. They might need someone to water their plants or check on their cat or whatever.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

The lotion is an excellent suggestion as well-one that doesn't smell.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

All the hospitals we've dealt with between my DD's illness and my mom's had an Au Bon Pain. Would have loved a gift card!

 

[~disneydiva~]

When my Dad was in the hospital people sent cash and a Target gift card. They were great because the hospital was an hour away from were my parents lived so my Mom was able to use the cash for food and the gift card to get some basics from Target.
People also sent magazines and fruit baskets.

 

[ccgirl]

As others have suggested...food is great. Try to get things that will not be too perishable. Drinks are another great thing. It can get expensive always getting drinks out of the vending/cafeteria. If they are in the ICU flowers and balloons are not allowed. I hope everything turns out okay.

 

[sms]

Chapstick
Drinks
snacks
lotion
hand sanitizer
puzzle books or a book
pen & paper (always needed) or a journal
pair of socks to be comfy and keep feet warm
cash or a gift card
Thermos with coffee or soup

 

[ENSOCK]

After just spending the last week in the hospital with my Dfather:
A snuggie would have been great.
any type of reading materials or puzzle books.
quarters for the vending machines.
He had a small frig in his room, so bottled water!
My Dnephew24 stayed at night, I brought him a ds from home and some games. My sisters and I would take turns playing that.
Snacks that are not in vending machines. Something besides chips and candy bars.
An offer of help is always appricated!

 

[LaraK]

Call the hospital and see if you can get gift cards for the coffee kiosks, gift shop, or cafeteria. If the husband is in the critical care unit, your friend will not be able to keep much with her and he can't have any flowers right now.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I would call her and ask like the op said. I know when we were at the hosptal with grandpa we were very greatful when my best freind brought us a bunch of pillows, a roll of quaters and a change of clothes (she and I were close in size).

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'll agree with what's been suggested, and add another idea.

People hospitalized for a while and their families often welcome homecooked food, especially if it's a favorite dish or family recipe. Soups, sandwiches and dull salads from the quick service place or cafeteria get old pretty quickly. Usually there is a common refrigerator everyone can use - just make sure it's in a sturdy container and labeled with the patient's name and the date or it will get tossed (regulations).

 

[IndianaMouse]

I'm sorry about your relative OP. I hope he pulls through and feels better soon.


I spend way to much time at the hospital with my DD so I could give you a list a mile long. But, what I appreciated the most is

Tylenol, I could have kissed my MIL for bringing me this
Puzzle books/paperbacks...Magazines are read and passed on within an hour
Lotion and Chapstick
Q tips
Pen and paper
Nail file and small pair of clippers...this was as helpful as the tylenol. If your relative is helping with the care/bathing of her? DH ,torn and chipped nails could easily scratch him.

Snacks that aren't easily crushed.Those rooms have very little space so things tend to get shoved into any little cubby hole. I found that, micro popcorn/nuts/cereal bars and M&Ms hold up the best.

I also liked the suggestion of the snuggie.Thanks to the poster who suggested it, I'm going to pack one in DDs hospital bag today.

 

[Bren's Mom]

For the family members who are waiting at the hospital, I'd add fresh fruit. A nice container of freshly cut melons, strawberries, blueberries, whatever you have, would be a refreshing change of pace from fast food/hospital food. I bring it in a tupperware container with small plastic bowls, forks and napkins.

 

[TLuvsD]

Chapstick, unscented lotion, nail file/clippers, advil, quarters (usually in a film canister), some fresh food--fruit is wonderful, hand wipes, all of these are helpful.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Thanks for all of the great advice! I'm going back to the hospital tomorrow and am making a list of a lot of the things that were listed here. (And I think fresh fruit is a wonderful idea!!)