How to Make A Hospital Patient Comfortable

If you or someone you love has to spend some time in a hospital, there are a few things you can do that will make the time pass more comfortably and pleasantly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pillow
• Cell phone and charger
• Antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer
• Hand-held games
• Snacks
• Tote bag

1. Bring in a real pillow. Hospital pillows are often flat and waterproof; your patient will rest much more comfortably with his pillow from home. Be sure to put a bright pillowcase on the pillow, so it won’t become accidentally mixed in with the hospital’s own pillows. If you decide to purchase a pillow for the patient, memory foam pillows are especially comfortable.
2. Plug in the patient’s cell phone charger, wrap the cord around the top of the bed, and hang the phone from the cord for easy access.
3. Bring in antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer. Try to find a brand gentle enough to clean hands and face, but one that also has antibacterial properties, to wipe off tables, remotes and other surfaces.
4. Provide something to “play” with. This can be light reading, such as a tabloid magazine, or even a hand-held video game. Some patients appreciate puzzle books. An Ipod or mini-mp3 player, downloaded with some of the patient’s CDs from home, can also help pass the time.
5. Supply snacks the patient is allowed to have, such as regular or sugar-free pudding and gelatin cups; soft granola bars (because the crunchy ones make crumbs in the bed); sausage sticks; jerky; or hard candies.
6. Bring a foldable tote bag to stash in the bedside table drawer so that when the patient is discharged, she’ll have a safe place to pack all the items you have provided.

Tips & Warnings

• Although most hospitals provide bedside phones, the patient's own cell phone will have his phone book and appointment calendar in it, and will allow him to receive calls after the hospital switchboard has closed.
• Some hospitals will want to have their own electricians approve any device you plug in.
• Consider bringing in enough treats to share with the patient's roommate or hospital staff.
• Check with the nurses, and if necessary, with the doctor to be sure the patient is allowed to have items you want to bring in.