At some point we will all probably find ourselves visiting a loved one in hospital. Although when you’re the visitor you’re arguably the lucky one, taking a trip to the hospital can still be a daunting prospect, especially when it comes to getting your head around the hospital’s rules and regulations.
Even remembering what gifts you can/can’t bring is confusing as there are certain items that may not be suitable for the ward or patient. With this in mind, here’s our guide to 5 ideal gifts for someone in hospital.
Flowers
Who doesn’t love flowers. They are pretty and bright and add natural beauty to any room (especially a hospital ward). For someone who is stuck in hospital and can’t go outdoors, flowers may cheer them up no end.
Make sure you consult a professional flower shop to pick the perfect get-well flowers or flower box. It should have the right colour combination and be easy to maintain. Don’t forget to think about what message you will deliver to your loved one so that he or she can feel calm and relaxed.
However, bear in mind that flowers may be restricted in certain wards, and if your loved one or any other patients in the ward has asthma or is sensitive to pollen, flowers are not a great idea. Always check with the ward’s staff before bringing flowers into the hospital.
Food & Drink
Let’s face it, hospital food is known for being poor. If your loved one has a favourite drink or snack, then taking some to the hospital will be greatly appreciated. Again, it’s best to check with the ward first as their diet may be restricted.
Entertaining Gifts
Hospitals are very dull and boring places and for a patient, it can be difficult to pass the time, especially when visiting hours are over. Bringing books, DVDs and magazines will help keep them occupied when nobody is there to visit them. If they don’t have a TV, you may be able to request one so they can play any DVDs you bring them.
Toiletries
When you’re lying in a bed all day you can feel pretty gross. From face wipes, to dry shampoo and lip balm, little things like toiletries can can make the world of difference. However, avoid perfumes and any highly-scented products.
Comfortable Items
From fluffy socks to pyjamas to a dressing gown, any cozy items to help make a hospital stay more comfortable is a good idea.
If you can’t decide what to give them, why not give them a goodie bag with a little bit of everything? However, keep in mind that space is limited so avoid large items. Here’s some ideas:
- Lip balm
- Toothbrush
- Body lotion
- Dry shampoo
- face wipes
- Fluffy socks
- Slippers
- Dressing Gown
- Favourite snack (if diet allows)
- Books
- Magazines
- Films
- Photos
- Paper and pen
From knowing what gifts you can and can’t take to being aware of how much time you spend by the bedside, preparation and a little research is key to a successful hospital visit that will hopefully leave both you and the patient feeling more upbeat.
Slater and Gordon medical negligence lawyers want to make sure that visiting a loved one whilst they’re in hospital is as easy as possible and that you know exactly what you should do and prepare for depending on the individual patient.
Therefore we want to hear your ultimate tips. Maybe you’ve been a patient yourself so know first hand exactly what works and what doesn’t. Or maybe you’ve had a loved one in hospital and have picked up some tips that helped make your visits to them as special as possible.
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