Teen in hospital for over a week- how to help?

[Apparentlystillchilled]

We just found out that my DD’s friend (14) is having an operation tomorrow and will be in hospital for over a week, with recovery time of several weeks, minimum. If you’ve ever had a teen in hospital, what are your tips for things we can do or can bring when we visit to help ease the boredom/distract her from the pain and discomfort?

She has an iPad so that side (and Netflix etc) is covered so I’m thinking maybe colouring books, books and snacks? And what would help her parents?- snacks and hand cream?

I've been in hospital a few times, the first I was 10 and on the children's ward, then they moved me and another girl to the women's ward because we were the oldest and they had run out of room. I loved it because the children's ward was noisy.

Overall hospitals are warm to hot, that water is weird tasting or slightly warm so I agree with the fan, I'd suggest a couple of different ear plugs and some squash to flavour the water.

I would suggest someone takes a hairdryer in (if they will allow it) and style her hair, it's one thing that makes me feel more human is having my hair washed and dried and depending on the operation she might not be able to raise her hands to style it herself. Ditto straighteners.

I agree with cooking for the parents and offering babysitting services.

It might be nice if you know a few of her friends to give them a lift to visit so it isn't just parents, and the parents can have a day / evening off. I know when I was in hospital at 17 I was really touched when some friends arrived. Actually this could be combined with the hairstyling. Set them up for an almost sleepover.

This might be a bit too personal but a pack of new knickers / pants. Maybe suggest that to the mum. If you are in PJs all day it's one thing that makes you feel clean.

Depending on the opp a battery powered toothbrush will make tooth brushing easier. You can get them for about £5 and from what I know of teenage girls it does no harm if they have frozen or minions characters on them.

I haven't read the responses but I'm in hospital with DD and by far the most valuable thing people can bring us is food.
Appealing fresh food like nice fruit, chopped up carrot/pepper sticks etc. Nice quality yoghurt. Obviously don't take loads as they'll struggle to keep stuff cold.

The kids menu seems to assume that children don't eat veg. DD's tea yesterday was a jacket with cheese but that is literally all it was - no salad.

And if the girl's mum is there when you go, suggest that she takes the opportunity to go outside for a walk while you're there if DD's friend is happy with that.

The other thing I've appreciated is people turning up with a decent coffee for me (again this probably applies more to the parents).

It does depend on how old the patient is and what they are in for!
If they are 13 and a parent will be with them a lot, they will be needing different things to a 16 year old with a parent who will be visiting frequently but not there all the time - and do you want to help the parent(s) or the child?
If the parent(s) - do they have other children/pets? If so then the most practical help would be to help with those. Offer to look after siblings/pick up from school/ feed pets/walk the dog. Doing some family shopping/cooking/laundry would probably be a HUGE help.
if the child, then you have already had a lot of suggestions, but it does depend on how ill they are. I was in hospital for two weeks recently but was very ill. My needs were hot drinks sachets (I don't like the hospital tea/coffee), snacks, especially fruit, soft tissues, soft toilet paper/wipes, clean nightwear. I was too ill/tired to concentrate on reading/puzzles. I would have liked a soft cape/shawl to put over my shoulders as I was hooked up to a drip most of the time (day and night) and couldn't get my arm in/out of a dressing gown, which meant my shoulders got cold. However mine was an emergency admission and there was no time to get one in advance. The last thing I wanted was visitors - even my husband. I didn't let him in for the first couple of days - I just wanted to sleep.

Also if parents are staying/visiting the hospital a lot, they will need food. An offer to sit with the child while the parents get food, or to bring food in/from the hospital restaurant would probably be very gratefully received.

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I’m assuming something like this.

I'm the kind of person that tires quick from social interaction and loves personal space and I'm great with my own company... EXCEPT in hospital. Really the thing I want is to not be there and the second best thing is to not be there 'alone'.

Hospital are a special type of mental torture far worse than solitary confinement etc... you can be on a ward FULL of people and feel completely alone but equally totally exposed.

I would suggest time & company is the best thing to offer someone in hospital.

I've been in with teenage girl and she appreciated:

1. Cotton/linen pillow case - some hospitals won't allow, but our did.
2. Ear plugs
3. battery packs/fast charger
4. headbands/hair bands/clips
5. small torch - the lights tend to be turned off and can be scary in the dark.
6. chocolate
7. Amazon vouchers - can choose for instance to upgrade Amazon Prime Video, for instance with Paramount or whatever. Also, suggestions of box set suggestions.Think I watched, 'The Wire,' from start to finish based on someone's then recommendation.

Lastly, offer support for when she is out of hospital as this will be a difficult time too.

These are good - mosaic sticker books. For all ages not just kids.
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Maybe Ubereats voucher? My husband spend time in hospital and they were allowed to send for food through Ubereats/Deliveroo and they brought it to the ward door. Maybe get a feel for the ward first. Rehab wards post surgery are often more relaxed than acute medical wards due to their nature.

Dependant on the OP, I think some make up, nail polish would be fun for her to play with.

Totally agree about playing cards, maybe a huge bag of 2p's, because betting makes cards more fun.

Helping the parents is the nicest thing ever. A meal home delivered, but don't ask they will be too embarrassed to accept. Just turn up American style and declare "food train! enjoy" Some fresh fruit in hospital would be lovely.

Agree that visiting is the best gift of all. x

DS's friend was in hospital last year and he loved having DS come for a short time .. they played chess together. .. if it were DD and friends.. they would play cards.

I dropped him off and hung round the coffee shop so friend could say when he was tired and DS could leave.

More than sending gifts, friends Mum said this meant a lot to her son. She also took the opportunity to nip home for bit.

My friends daughter was in hospital for months last year and one of the things that she enjoyed was lots of different nail varnish. She tried different nail designs etc

Non-scented, non-allergy body lotion. Whatever they wash hospital laundry in is horribly drying to the skin.

Ear plugs, noise cancelling headphones or loop ear plugs yes great ideas, it can be so noisy. Maybe an eye mask.

Random small snacks (treats) and drinks. Maybe some nice squash.

Fiddly gadget toys

Most of all visit if you can, more than once, if you can. Visitors are such a morale boost!

Offer lifts to hospital and co-ordinate visits so DD isn't in at the same time as parents, ie give parents a break. I'm guessing she's on a children's ward with all day visits. Does mum want someone to visit for a few hours so she can get home showered and look after other kids.

Magazines / adult colouring books. Things that can be picked up and put away easily.

Chargers.

I wonder if PokemonGo could work. God knows it kept me sane in airport & Zoo Qs this week.

Beanboozled as a fun game

Loom band kit: passes the time but is repetitive and doesn't take a lot of thinking or concentration.

Look after the parents as well, I think. Cook them meals they can heat up and eat, pop in the freezer, or fridge. Basics such as nice breakfast bits, milk, bread etc

What about some eye shadows and wipes so she can practice. That sort of thing?

I was in for 3 weeks over Summer. Too far away for visitors. Godsends were: extra long charging cable, usb hub, power bank, over ear headphones (Bluetooth), access to Readly app (1000s of magazines), neck pillow for sitting up, podcast recommendations. Fruit, crisps and shelf-stable snacks. Eye mask - room was so light at night, especially if other patients got up and set off the sensors. Ear plugs. I also had people who would phone almost daily - they really helped me keep my mind off things.

She'll probably be content with her devices, charging leads and earphones so she can use them without annoying others!
I spent a week in hospital last Christmas and, rather to my surprise, found it anything bet over-heated, in fact rather chilly. But be prepared either way.

But her family will have this covered. Let her know you're thinking of her, but don't clutter her up.

Maybe, OP, you and DD could write a list of things you are willing and able to provide, and ask friend to say yes/no to each item, and then pop them in the next day? Obviously make sure that its all affordable for you for if all the answers are yes but at least you know you're not giving her unnecessary stuff and if there's things like 'juice' 'magazines' on there you have the chance to find out her favourites too

Puzzles and mindful colouring v popular now

sorry posted on wrong thread..

Just a thought. When my Nana was in hospital I sent a parcel with small things to open one a day.

On the nail varnish front, check with the hospital, she will have to remove it before surgery and if they are using a pulse oximeter it is best to not have nail varnish on.