Hospital Goody Bag?

[Mehita]

I'm in the process of putting together a hospital goody bag for a friend who's mom will be in the hospital awhile. For those of you who've been hospitalized, what were some of the best things people gave you or you wished you had during your stay? What about items for your spouse or a caregiver who may have been with you a lot?

Thanks!

 

[theOcean]

For me, it was definitely good food. My family would bring me treats from outside the hospital, usually little bakery goods.

Good 3-ply toilet paper was the best thing in the world, too. You would think they'd have that in a GI ward.

Otherwise, earplugs/eye covers are nice too with how busy the hospital is. Cheap slippers for wandering around in. A good book, or a magazine or some kind of entertainment.

 

[Daisy123]

I agree yummy food, but also nice smelly things. When my mum was in hospital she wanted to smell nice and look presentable. Nice hand cream, talc, lip balm.

 

[Absentminded]

A little perfume spray (my mum bought me one when I was in and I'd spray it on my dressing gown to mask any unpleasant smells.)

Also, some magazines, puzzle books and pens and nice soft tissues.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

This might have something to do with them being of an older generation, but when my grandpa was in the hospital, my grandma refused to leave his side and she kept asking me to bring her things - most notably stamps, so that she could write and send letters during that time. So especially if your friend's mother is older and/or doesn't do much corresponding with people via the internet, she may appreciate stamps so that she can write some letters. Maybe nice stationery as well.

 

[Farmwife]

Good 3-ply toilet paper was the best thing in the world, too. You would think they'd have that in a GI ward.

That's bloody brilliant.:dog:

 

[shamrock15]

I'll second (or third) the TP response. Ear and eye shades are definitely good too - I always ended up on a ward with people using CPAP machines. Pretty noisy things.

I used to enjoy decks of cards and a crib board. Great for passing time and you can keep others occupied too. I also found a portable DVD player useful. I guess now you could use some form of smart phone if the hospital is safe enough. Cheaper than getting hospital TV.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Not really a good bag item buy a plant or flowers is nice to cheer up the room.

Maybe something soft and cuddly like a tiny pillow or stuffed animal. Food or candy if she can eat it.

 

[Essieluv]

Chapstick. It sounds so basic, but you don't realize how dry hospitals are until you are stuck there. And the hospital chapstick usually smells hideous...lotion is good, too.

 

[Alley2231]

In my experiences - ChapStick, good lotion, Charmin Ultra Soft, tissues (a good, soft brand) puzzle books, ear plugs and something yummy like brownies or a muffin! I also second a nice body spray, it wasn't something I had, but I remember commenting to my mother that it would have been nice to have the spray - just to make me feel a bit normal, even though I felt like garbage.

 

[blackli]

The best gift I ever received while I hospital was a large bag of 10 small gifts, one to be opened every day of my stay. Gave me something to look forward to each day and was fun. Just small gifts, a Chapstick, lotion, nail polish, novel, pretty nail file, foot cream, pj's, slippers etc. I did the same for my mom last year in rehab after breaking her hip. I could hear the smile in her voice every day when she called to tell me what she opened that day . We live far away from her so I mailed a big box to the hospital for her.

 

[2thFairy]

Lotion, lip balm, good toothpaste, puzzle books, LifeSaver candy for the patient. A bag full of quarters or $1.00 for the snack machine for the family/caregiver.

 

[MrsMoore]

This is a great idea! One thing I hated was the smell of hospital sheets (far too clinical for me to relax!) so my friend brought me a champneys pillow spray that reminded me of home and I instantly slept better

 

[D Bergy]

A back scratcher. I used that a lot when I was in the hospital.

Dan