In the event that you or someone you care for needs to stay in. hospital, this is a great set of resources to consider for your stay–from a LinkedIn post by Chaplain Abby Brockman, Trauma Chaplain & Spiritual Care Coach.
10 items that can bring comfort and improve any hospitalization:
1️⃣ Pillow: Hospital pillows are thin and hard so a real one from home can feel like heaven
2️⃣ Blankets: Warm fleece blankets or cozy comforters are infinitely better than the thin blue and white blankets provided that don’t really keep anyone warm no matter how many the nurses offer to pile on
3️⃣ Hat and bathrobe: Hospital rooms get cold but you can’t usually adjust the temperature in the room and hospital gowns make sweatshirts hard to wear for patients so a beanie hat and warm bathrobe are the way to go
4️⃣ Family pictures (+ tape): Make the environment feel less clinical and help the medical team see your loved one more holistically by hanging pictures around the room and taping them to the outside of the door
5️⃣ Snacks: While families shouldn’t have to take care of overwhelmed medical teams in order to receive the best care, compassion is most deeply nurtured when it goes both ways so a bag of chocolates or donuts for the staff on the unit can have a profound impact
6️⃣ Thank you cards: The smallest kindnesses can resonate deeply during a hard time and having basic thank you cards can make it easier to express gratitude while at bedside in a meaningful way (or, in a pinch, ask the nurses station for a few sheets of printer paper!)
7️⃣ Ear plugs: Healing requires rest yet machines will be constantly beeping, bed alarms going off, nursing staff chatting, and hustle and bustle in the hallways will make it hard but ear plugs can help with creating some peace and quiet
8️⃣ Notebook: There are so many different providers and information that it can be hard to remember it all but a notebook can help you keep track of it and make sure nothing falls through the cracks during shift changes, room moves, and transitions
9️⃣ Water bottle: Staying hydrated might not be on your list of priorities but it’s something basic you can do for own wellbeing when exercise, eating healthy, and sleeping can seem impossible while caring for someone you love
🔟 Tech accessories: Earphones/headphones and chargers for all devices are important to help pass the time, stay entertained, and get a temporary mental escape
If you have a loved one in the hospital or you’re going to visit a friend who is in the hospital, I hope these can help make a tangible difference.