Items to prepare for long term hospital stay?

[Proudestmumofone1]

Horribly anxious about everything being out of my control. Such PTSD from this particular specialist hospital. And been told it will be months, not weeks.

So finding a sense of control by trying to think of things to make it easier….

What would you bring?

I’ve been here many times before so standard iPad headphones long charging cables etc on my radar.

But currently worrying about the sticky plastic bed and the overwhelming heat in this particular hospital and thinking if a mattress cover would help?

I am sure many of you have unfortunately been in this position too so any ideas would be fab…

I’m also super ADHD (diagnosed before I get flamed!) which means being restricted to a bed / bay is hard… activities I can do in bed that aren’t mind numbing (and therefore I won’t be able to focus on?!)

Any ideas please share!

x

Definitely a desk fan plus a handheld one.
I don't think any cover you put on the bed will make much difference as it's sweaty and plastic underneath regardless.
Make sure you've got a deliveroo or uber eats account as you'll want some deliveries of hot meals and groceries.
Cards, Scrabble, monopoly, any games really. You can usually get travel or mini versions of them.
Loads of puzzle books.
Knitting
Drawing pens/pencils/pad.
Journal/diary
Obviously phone and tablet and charger
Air pods or good headphones.
Earplugs
Magazines and books.
A nice comfy light blanket.

Loop earplugs!

I was going to say fan to can't stand the heat in hospitals. Magazines, earphones. Also id get netflix, or disney plus if you haven't already got them. Bottle of squash to add to water jug. Razors, sanitary products wards have most things if you run out but iv been on wards without razors and sanitary products before and if they do have any their awful. Snacks. Spare long phone charger mine broke in hospital once.

Its not a psychiatric unit is it as their will be certain things lile long chargers you can't take and you need the little short ones

Earplugs, your own pillow, lip balm, face cream, kindle/books, fan.

Hope all goes well x

Foam earplugs and I swear by my snoozeband (u can probably get cheaper versions). You can play white noise and it blocks light as acts like sleep mask. Can take a bit of getting used to but wards are noisy

Definitely the pen and a diary. Writing about each day will be of help anyway, but it could also prove valuable if you even need to make a complaint.

I hope it all goes well.

Many sets of pyjamas and underwear so that whoever will bring you in fresh stuff isn't under too much pressure, and so you can change as often as you want.

Your own towels. Hospital towels are scratchy and small I ME.

Notepad and pen so you can write down things you need to remember, things for when doctors come round and all that. Or a good notes app for your phone.

Noise cancelling headphones

What about some lavender oil or other nice aromatherapy oil? You can sprinkle on dressing gown or a hanky.

I forgot to say a few others..

dressing gown.

If you'll struggle to bathe then a washing thing on a stick. And obviously all your favourite shower gel, moisturizer etc.

Magnesium oil is really good for helping you sleep. You can rub it on your legs and feet.

And most importantly a roster of visitors so hopefully you'll have at least one every couple days. And don't be embarrassed to ask them all to bring stuff in. Anything you forget or just reminds you of home.

Electric toothbrush. Good toothpaste and chlorhexidine mouthwash. Your gums can bleed quite badly if you can't brush thoroughly in hospital. Also because you're often on blood thinners. Well, that's what happened to me untill I finally got someone to bring the electric brush in.

I found that I didn't like being in night clothes all day so took in leggings and loose jogging bottoms and some t-shirts so that I could feel that I had got dressed in the morning.

Get dressed each day.
Have a structure and routine - morning and evening routine. Recovery routine - physio or whatever.
If possible keep active.
Learn a new hobby or skill - crochet, calligraphy, knitting etc.
Take time to nurture yourself - hand massage, mindfulness etc.
Speak to other patients.
Eat healthily.
Watch new series on TV.
YouTube has thousands of free films if you like older one.
Exercise your brain - quizzes, crosswords.
See if you can have a large puzzle somewhere.
Move around if possible, don't spend all your time in the same space.
Ask for a rocking chair - amazing resource for mental health, physical health, comfort.
Read.

Definitely noise cancelling headphones and a headband.. a decent pillow/pillowcase??
I just swopped mine in and then chucked it .. if not a reading pillow..? Can get fromamadon
How about trying a craft/making thing .. my mum got into embroidery... There's all sorts of kits... For all sorts of tastes ! And ypu can pick up and put downn... I crochet so have taken a simple pattern in.

Neck cooling towel, Johnsons top to toe wipes. A few printed photographs?

Wet wipes
Ipad
Adult colouring book
Tweezers and mirror for those rogue hairs

Not sure about the kind of facilities you’ll have (chair, table, etc.) but if you have room what about one of these?

Book nook miniature set

I just picked one at random off of amazon.

That sounds hard. I’m sorry and hope you will be ok.

Hair dryer, hair bobbles

I always take my own soft blanket into hospitals cant deal with theirs.

I'd go for something that doesn't require too much concentration so that you can do it while also being noisy at the world around you. Embroidery, colouring.

Your own pillow for sure as well and a decent water bottle and cup for hot drinks. Their plastic cups are awful.

I think a lot depends on how 'well' you will feel. Obviously you'll be in hospital for a reason, but if it's something very orthopedic for example, you may be able to think a bit straighter than if it's something like a transplant or brain surgery.

If you are likely to be thinking ok, but immobile, then maybe using the time to learn a new skill. You could learn coding, or try to write a book, crochet, etc.

I would think you would be taking your toothbrush charger in but you will need that. If possible have some way of being able to have your name on everything.

I took a fan in when I was last in hospital. The staff laughed (kindly) and were fine with it

Hate being hot x

A couple of decent power banks, then you can charge them and use them in a loop. Means you're not tied to where there's chargers.

Supplements and painkillers, if allowed, in case you get a headache
Wax ear plugs
Ear loops
Ear phones
Squash
Snacks
Toiletries
Body cleansing mitts
Rinse free shampoo caps
Eye mask
Slippers/flip flops for shower
Comfortable clothes eg joggers, hoody
Night clothes/dressing gown