Gifts for elderly relative in hospital

[SweetSakura]

Just wondering what is a good gift to take when visiting in hospital? I want to cheer my relative up she had a very long wait for an ambulance and then in an ambulance. I usually take her flowers if I see her at home but not sure you can take flowers on to the wards anymore?

Something to read?

I've got my Dad some nice shower gel, hand cream, small bowl of easily edible fruit (things that don't need peeling), some jelly babies (really good for dry mouths due to medication). A nice lightweight fleece blanket is good too, as well as warm bed socks. I think anything comforting is nice when someone's in a unfamiliar environment.
And Dad loves having a clock so he can see the time easily.

A pillow or cushion - my mum has been in hospital for a while now and there are never enough pillows or cushions to sit up nicely and comfortable it's been a main gripe.
I'm heading back down there again tomorrow and it's one of the things I'm taking her.

Puzzle book and pen
Wipes
Sweets
Cordial
Hand cream
Magazines

Oh these are great, thank you, I think I will put a little gift bag together ☺️ it's been so long since I have needed a hospital stay (thankfully!) that I have forgotten what is appreciated!

I took mum in a small furry fleece. She loved it.

Lip balm or moisturiser- hospitals tend to be hot and dry environments so dry out the skin.
I also second cordial, you drink so much water in hospital it would be nice to spruce it up a bit now and then!

I work on a hospital ward.
flowers aren’t allowed sadly,
However some people bring in balloon flower arrangements but they are not very practical in a hospital environment due to limited space.
Also the hospital I work in likes patients to use out antibacterial shower gel as opposed to their own, but It is the patients choice.
some suggestions going off my patients would be

fleece blanket makes them feel more homely!
fluffy bed socks
tv card (if tv is not free on ward)
puzzle books
cup for hot drinks
bodysprays

hope this helps

Lavender pillow spray is always nice as you get away from the horrible Hospital smell.

headphones and a radio.. they are always waking you up in hospital in the middle of the night or there's someone yabbering away you want to block out. A radio lets you escape.

A TV card so they can watch TV after midday.

If TV is her thing of course?
The TV cards are quite expensive but a lot of elderly patients don't have any other entertainment.

You can buy them at special vending machines around the hospital.

100%

I am wise with unlimited data and an iPad. There is no peace in hosptial.

Water bottle with an easy drinking spout. As the pastor glassss look awful.
Travel cup with lid and nice tea bags or instant coffee as the one from the trolley was beyond awful
Plain biscuits / plain crackers / Cereal bar
Water Wipes
Deodorant
Face cream
Favourite sweets/ mints
Pen and paper
Small fleece blanket
Travel pillow with neck support

Fluffy socks
Gripped slippers
Flip flops for the shower
Dressing gown - toweling for the shower/light if it's warm
Short sleeved pyjamas if it's very warm - button up is easier if there's lines
Some kind of blanket/throw - preferably something with no arms in case of arms
Ear plugs/book/magazine/TV card
Sleep mask
Insulated cup to keep drinks hot and cold unless there's a burning risk
Nice teabags/squash
Jelly babies/haribo/treat of choice but nothing that might melt in the warm
Crisps/cereal bars - especially if meal times are outside their norm. If there's any choking risk maybe jelly/fruit pouches/custard pots
Extra long charging cable if they have a phone/kindle or tablet. Often the plugs are in awkward places

*lines, not more arms! Apologies we got home from A&E very late last night/early this morning with DD so it's something I've been thinking on.