Top Ten Tips - Packing For A Hospital Stay
By Tip Diva | Feb 20, 2008
Categories: Bed, Clothes, Clothing, Computer, Cosmetics, Electronics, Feet, Illness, Medical, Personal Hygiene, Shoes, Sickness, Tips
If you have to stay at a hospital for one night or more, there are a few things you should pack to make your stay more comfortable and (somewhat) enjoyable:
- Bring Pajamas - Your doctor may allow you to wear your own pajamas rather than the hospital gown. Make sure they’re comfortable, won’t tug and can be easily removed and put on around IV lines, tubes and wound dressings.
- Bring Slippers - If you’re allowed to walk around, bring slippers or other comfortable footwear. Make sure that they have traction pads on the bottom, however. If you don’t have slippers, request traction socks from the hospital.
- Pack Some Of Your Favorite Books - Books are good to have in case you have a roommate and can’t have your television set on, or even for a visitor to read if you’re sleeping.
- Pack Other Activities - Besides books, you may consider bringing crossword puzzles or a pack of cards to keep you busy.
- Bring Electronics - An iPod, computer or handheld gaming system, like books and activities, can keep you amused. Make sure you’re allowed to bring electronics into the hospital, as some wards may not allow them. Also make sure you have a secure place to store the items, because you’ll likely have many people going in and out of the room.
- Supply Your Own Toothbrush And Toothpaste - The hospital may supply you with these, but if you have a certain preference, bring your own.
- Carry Your Own Personal Toiletries - Again, the hospital will supply you with toiletries like lotion and shampoo, but they are very basic. If you have a certain preference, bring your own, but ask your doctor first. For instance, you may not be able to use fragranced lotion.
- Pack Your Own Tissues And Toilet Paper - The hospital may provide them, but in Tip Diva’s experience, they’re no Puffs Plus or Charmin. If you want softer, kinder facial tissues and toilet paper, bring your own.
- Bring Your Own Pillow And Blanket - If your doctor allows, bring your own pillow and blanket from home. They may be infinitely more comfortable and warm than what the hospital can provide. However, some hospitals will not allow you to bring these for sanitary reasons.
- Pack A Hairbrush - You’ll likely want to keep your hair pulled back and neat, so make sure you bring a hairbrush and hairbands, if needed. If you have long hair, you might want to consider wearing a ponytail or braid to keep your hair from flying all over the place or sticking to you.
Other Tips To Check Out:
I found that if you’re having some sort of surgery on your torso, having a back scratcher is handy too. It does double duty. You can use it for its intended purposes, of course, but you’d also be surprised at how often something is just an inch or two out of reach and that back scratcher can save you a lot of “shifting around to reach something” pain.
Great post! :)
VG
That’s a great idea, Venessa! I’m sure it would save the nurses a lot of headaches too :)