What to pack for respite care

[40andfit]

My Mum is going into respite care for two weeks. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions about what to pack?

Why is she going into respite, I ask as someone with dementia compared with some one who needs help with daily task all need different things, but label everything in as many place as possible and take a picture or two of any loved ones. Some place let you take a throw for the bed but not all. You can ask for a list.

She is just coming out of hospital and recovering from covid but her husband who is the main carer has been very unwell. Mum has MS, COPD and heart failure. It’s to allow Dad to have a break while he starts to recover and give us more time to get care and things like online food shopping, meals on wheels into place. They were struggling before.

Lots of clothes you don’t care about as thry may go missing/ get hot washed.

ask if they need labelling our recent experience was not after I bought a dymo iron on tape. This home puts stuff in a bag with the room no in that you get back.

pack books / radio / cd player. Mobile and charger , iPad if used. Dymo label all these and any equipment eg walking frame etc

Enough clothes for 4 days although laundry is probably done daily.
Photographs of loved ones.
Incontinence pads/pants if used.
Coat, hat, gloves for sitting in garden or trips out.
Tooth pot/dentures
Specs/case
Hearing aids/case
Daily living aids eg Walker if used
Toothpaste
Medication and copy of prescription
Contact for home in case of accident or worse, not to be insensitive but preferred undertaker.
Small amount of cash if likely to go on trips out.
Toiletries usually provided but own flannels.
Name everything or risk losing it..
Radio, magazines, books if enjoyed.
Then have a lovely break

as she doesn’t have dementia you can probably get away without all the labelling as she should be able to keep her things in the right place. Some provide wash kits but others prefer you to take your own including towels, it really depends on the home. Hope everything goes well xx

Some provide wash kits but others prefer you to take your own including towels, it really depends on the home. Hope everything goes well xx

I think some lovely toiletries, we put some nice hand soap in DFIL's room so that he didn't have to use theirs if he didn't want to.

How about a picture of the DGC, if there are any. That can usually provide a talking point for staff and guests.

Things like shoes for outdoors and slippers for indoors help.

She might also like a pillow mist for night time to help her sleep. I had lavender oil on my pillowcase in hospital to get rid of the "hospital smell".

DFIL also has bird feeders outside his window and a pit plant in the room.

*pot plant

Sorry guys, I forgot to go back and say thank you.

How's the care going @40andfit?

The home is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately my Mum was unwell ended up in hospital within 24 hours (the same thing would have happened at home). Cue my Dad deciding to attempt to bring her home against everyone advice and too much stress for all of the family. She is still there and hopefully this will allow both Mum and Dad to recover a bit before she comes home.