If they could choose, most older people would say they’d prefer not to stay even one night in the hospital. That might seem a little harsh. After all, hospitals are full of some of the most clever, caring and warm staff you could ever meet.
But, home’s where the heart is. If you’re used to receiving home care, the thought of hospital treatment can be an anxious time, particularly if you are an older person. One way to reduce your stress levels is to prepare well and pack a suitable bag for a hospital stay.
We’ve gathered extensive insights to create a comprehensive hospital bag checklist with everything an older person may need for their hospital stay. Read on to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Choosing the Best Bag for Your Hospital Stay
It all starts with picking the bag you want to bring to the hospital. The size is going to depend on how long you expect your hospital stay to last.
For a short visit, take an inflight case that has wheels if you have one. Those hospital corridors can be long. The design of these kinds of cases and bags means they typically have compartments you can use to divide up your belongings.
Important Paperwork and Staying Connected While Hospitalised
No packing list is ever going to be exhaustive. Remember that if you do forget something, it’s not the end of the world. Everything is replaceable and retrievable.
Essential Documents to Bring
Don’t forget to bring with you any documentation that you think the hospital might need to see. This could include things like medical cards, insurance information, referral letters from your doctor or some form of ID. A debit card and a small amount of cash will also be useful.
Connecting with Family and Friends
Staying connected with loved ones is one of the best ways to provide mental health support for older individuals during their hospital stay.
If you have a smartphone you use regularly, bring it along with a phone charger and a separate power pack if you have one. Make sure you understand how to turn it on and off and how to put it into silent mode.
Preparing for Noise and Distractions
Pack a set of headphones if you use your phone for listening to the radio and podcasts or for watching TV. Hospitals can be noisy places, so bring a set of earplugs and an eye mask, too, if you have one.
Must-Have Items for a Relaxing Hospital Stay
Hospitals would typically encourage you to leave valuable items at home. However, bringing something you enjoy using every day at home can help you relax and make your stay a bit more pleasant.
The first thing to go in should be your toiletry bag, which includes shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. A small pack of handy tissues and wet wipes, along with a favourite lotion, hand cream or moisturiser, are useful extras.
You might also have a favourite blanket, pillow, towel or cushion that could come with you.
Clothing Essentials
Packing the right clothing can greatly enhance your comfort. Consider including the following items to ensure you have everything you need during your visit:
- Comfortable clothing, such as pyjamas, socks, or the dressing gown you prefer sleeping in.
- Sufficient underwear.
- A cardigan or some similar loose-fitting overgarments. Pack sufficient changes of these types of clothing.
- Bring comfortable shoes, slippers or sandals for trips to the bathroom.
- Enough short-sleeved shirts for tests or treatments.
- A change of clothing for when the hospital discharges you.
Extra Essentials to Include in Your Hospital Bag
Here are some other useful items things to pack for your hospital stay:
- A protective case and containers for reading glasses or dentures
- A book, magazines and some puzzles to pass the time
- A notebook and pen to write down notes and reminders from doctors or nurses
- A photo or two of family or loved ones
- A favourite mug and water bottle
- Including items that support your care and mobility can also be beneficial, so consider adding your walking aid if needed.
Virtual Items to Pack That Will Help You Relax
Something that many older persons overlook is to think about ways to help reduce the stress they might experience during a hospital stay. You can do a lot of preparation beforehand when you pack a suitable bag.
But here are some ideas to take with you:
Grounding Techniques
These can be helpful when you feel distressed, especially if you experience discomfort that makes you feel unreal or detached.
Remember this 5,4,3,2,1 approach for when you are in hospital. It can help you deal better with feelings of anxiety.
Think about:
- 5 things you can see.
- 4 things that you can hear.
- 3 things you can touch (go ahead and touch them too).
- 2 things you can smell or like the smell of.
- Finally, take 1 slow, deep breath.
Engage Your Senses for Comfort
Look around you, and take note of the colours, people and the shapes of any objects you see. Listen carefully to the sounds around you. These could be things like traffic noise or vibrations from a radiator or fan.
Feel how your clothes touch your skin. Concentrate on things like the movement in your hair as you gently shake your head or how your feet feel on the floor or while lying in bed.
Some older people like to carry a grounding object with them, such as a stone or other small item, perhaps something that has special personal meaning. They use it for comfort by touching it when they need to calm themselves.
Breathing Techniques for Mindfulness
Mindfulness has become a successful alternative treatment for anxiety. Doctors often recommend courses in the technique instead of taking medication. There are plenty of books and apps that can start you off.
Deep Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are a good place to begin. Breathe deeply down to your stomach. Place your hand there so that it gets pushed up and down as you take each breath.
Visualise that you have a balloon or football in your belly and that you’re inflating it as you breathe in and deflating it as you breathe out.
When you do this, along with breathing more slowly and more deeply, you can allay any feelings of panic you may be experiencing.
Distraction Techniques
Reading, colouring, card games, or watching TV can all help take your mind off any concerns and worries, as can speaking with friends and family on the phone.
You could try playing mental games or exercises like these as well:
- Count backwards in 7s from 100 (e.g. 100, 93, 86, 79, etc…).
- Think of 10 different animals and 10 blue things.
- Write down 1 animal or country for each letter of the alphabet.
- Say the alphabet slowly or say it backwards.
We’re Here to Help!
Our home care staff can assist you in preparing for your hospital visit. With their deep understanding of each client’s needs, our carers can offer personalised suggestions on what to pack for an upcoming hospital stay.
Our at-home care services ensure that you receive personalised support tailored to your needs, even before and after your hospital stay. To find out more about our homecare services, contact Comfort Keepers today!
