11 Tips for what goes in our Loved ones’ Hospital Go Bag.

Key thoughts:

• Carer’s bag preps for being in ER vs. patient’s bag is for admission

• Our caregivers’ Go Bag has 19 Tips (see note linked below)

• Reasons to keep to essentials: restricted space in bedside cupboards; we can bring/change things during visiting hours; limit items to reduce the stress of finding things!

• IMPT add-on: Once admitted, transfer from carer’s bag: water bottle with plastic straw, wrapped biscuits, copy of key docs.

It’s a relief to know our person’s go-bag is primed for an emergency.

1. Short-sleeved pyjamas (so the cannula /injections into veins are not impeded). Pyjamas are better than a nightdress. A nightdress can easily bunch up, or restrict movement in bed.

2. One change of clothes

   1. Tops: a cardigan, or fleece jacket as one arm may need to be out for injections/a cannula: E.g., a vest or a tee shirt (no buttons or zips).

   2. Bottoms: E.g. Trousers, tapered ankles/jogger pants tucked into socks to avoid slipping on trouser legs if they’re sitting on the toilet.

3. A warm dressing gown that can be used as a blanket over the thin hospital blankets. Patient rooms get cold at night. A long, warm dressing gown can also act as an overcoat.

4. Bed socks with rubber grips on the soles. It is better than taking shoes/slippers on and off

   • Poor circulation can make feet cold at night. The grips can offer extra reassurance in bathrooms

   • Pyjama bottoms. Tuck trouser legs into socks if they're a bit long to avoid tripping/falling over, when they’re down at the toilet.

5. Small towel & Wash bag: small liquid/bar soap (some hands don’t have the strength to squeeze bottles), flannel, small travel-size toothpaste, toothbrush, headphones, earplugs (noisy on a ward), pens, post-its, phone charger.

6. Their Phone: Put a paper copy of emergency contacts in phone case.

7. Face wipes and toilet wipes. Roll of toilet paper. Why do hospitals only have thin sheets of single-dispensed paper? Not great for toileting if you have arthritic hands, or have to keep pulling paper!

8. A half-empty tissue box to act as a holder for e.g. spectacles, notebook, pen, face wipes etc.

9. Small bag of current medications and inhalers NOT full pack, as we rarely get them back.

10. A book or a puzzle book like Sudoku.

11. Put a note, a photo of yourself, e.g. as a screensaver on the phone or a small letter to comfort your loved one in the hospital.

    Ref: “A little note in a pocket of the bag reminding her that I love her. It might not be useful but my heart will always be with her in the moments I’m not” Thank you, for this heartfelt idea Tea, Tissues & Therapy ☕️

The Caregiver’s Compass Brittany Carroll Sammie Marsalli Janine De Tillio Cammarata 🖊️ Carolyn Malone Cindy Martindale The Weight of Caregiving Julia Yarbough Gregory Zobel Daniel Gmyrek