Hailey Tran
Being in hospital can be a lonely and isolating experience, but there are many ways to cheer up a hospital room and bring comfort to a loved one. From care packages to familiar items from home, there are a variety of ways to brighten a hospital stay and make a patient feel more like themselves. Whether it's a thoughtful gift, a comforting presence, or a good laugh, there are numerous ways to bring joy to a hospital room.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bring items from home | Favourite pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, framed photo, coffee mug, plant, etc. |
| Help them pass the time | Crossword puzzle, book, magazine, laptop, tablet, board game, etc. |
| Bring them food | Their favourite snacks, drinks, or a meal from their favourite restaurant |
| Comfortable clothing | A comfortable but practical outfit, robe, warm socks, etc. |
| Personal care items | Quality hand lotion, flavoured lip balm, etc. |
| Flowers | Orchids are a good option as they only need to be watered once a week and can bloom for a month or more |
| Spend quality time with them | Sit with them, listen to them, and provide comfort and support |
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What You'll Learn
Bring comfort from home
A hospital stay can be isolating and lonely, so creating a care package for your loved one can bring much-needed comfort. Here are some ideas to bring comfort from home:
Familiar Items
Bring items from home that are comforting to the patient—their favourite pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal. Even a picture or a small memento can help them retain a sense of familiarity and brighten up the dull, sterile hospital environment.
Comfortable Clothing
Hospital gowns, robes, and slippers can be uncomfortable and dehumanizing. Bring comfortable but practical clothing for your loved one, such as a cosy robe, warm socks, or their favourite pyjamas. Remember to consider any intravenous (IV) drips or surgical drains that may limit what they can wear.
Favourite Foods
Check with the hospital and your loved one if there are any dietary restrictions. If possible, bring their favourite snacks or a meal from their favourite restaurant. Choose foods that don't need to be eaten immediately, can be stored, and won't create a mess.
Entertainment
Boredom is a common issue for hospital patients. Bring books, magazines, puzzle books, or the latest novels to help pass the time. If your loved one is a sports fan, bring sports-related items like a new jersey or team shirt, and some stadium snacks. You can also bring electronic devices like laptops or tablets for streaming movies, playing games, or connecting with friends online.
Personal Care Items
People often forget to bring certain personal care items or assume the hospital will provide everything. Bring quality hand lotion, lip balm, or other self-care items to make your loved one feel pampered and more like themselves.
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Offer practical gifts
Offering practical gifts can be a great way to cheer up a hospital room. Here are some ideas:
Comfortable and Practical Clothing
Wearing a hospital gown for an extended period can be uncomfortable and dehumanizing. A comfortable yet practical gift of clothing can brighten a hospital stay and make your loved one feel more like themselves. Consider something washable that won't be ruined by bleeding or spills and is compatible with any medical equipment they may be connected to, such as intravenous (IV) drips or surgical drains.
Personal Care Items
Personal care items are often forgotten or assumed to be provided by the hospital. These items can be a thoughtful gift that helps overcome physical limitations after surgery or treatment. Examples include a comfortable robe, warm socks, or a luxurious lotion.
Familiar Items from Home
The sterile environment of a hospital can become dull and confining. Bringing items from home, such as their favourite pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, or a framed photo, can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Entertainment and Mental Stimulation
Hospital patients often struggle with boredom and restlessness. Help keep their minds active and cheerful with gifts like books, magazines, puzzle books, travel-size board games, or crossword puzzles. If they are a "techie," consider bringing their laptop or tablet so they can play games, stream movies, or listen to audiobooks.
Food and Snacks
Before bringing food, check with the hospital and your loved one about any dietary restrictions or preferences. Choose foods that don't require immediate consumption and can be stored or brought home if not eaten. Avoid crumbly or easily spilled items. Consider their favourite snacks or a special treat from their favourite restaurant.
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Provide entertainment
Providing entertainment is a great way to cheer up someone's hospital room. Here are some ideas to achieve that:
Books
Books are a great way to fill time and help a person fall asleep. Ask the patient what type of book they like and browse a nearby bookstore or purchase a gift certificate for them to choose their own e-book or audiobook.
Games and puzzles
Board games, card games, and puzzles can be a fun way to pass the time and provide entertainment for the patient. If they have a special interest, like chess or backgammon, bring the game and play with them. Crossword puzzles are also a good option.
Music
Soothing music can help the hospital room feel more relaxing and homely. If the patient is a fan of a particular culture or genre of music, consider sending a musician to their room or playing some music for them yourself.
Movies and TV
Many people bring laptops or tablets to the hospital to stream movies and TV shows. You could also consider paying for television service for the patient during their hospital stay.
Comfortable clothing
Although not directly entertaining, comfortable clothing can help the patient feel more like themselves. This can include their favourite pyjamas or a soft robe and slippers. Just be mindful of any intravenous (IV) drips, surgical drains, or electrocardiogram (ECG) cables that may limit what they can wear.
Remember to always check with the hospital and patient about any restrictions or limitations before bringing gifts or entertainment to the hospital room.
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Spend quality time
Spending quality time with a friend or family member in the hospital can be a great way to cheer them up. Here are some ideas to make the most of your time together:
Be Fully Present
When spending time with your loved one, try to be fully present and avoid rushing in and out. This shows that you care and are willing to listen if they want to share their feelings. Being present and offering comfort and support can be a crucial part of the healing process. It is important to remember that you don't always have to be cheerful and upbeat; sometimes, simply sitting with your loved one in silence can be comforting.
Bring a Piece of Home
The hospital environment can be sterile and dull. Bring some items from home to add a familiar touch to the room. This could include their favourite pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal, or a framed photo of happy memories. Even a small memento can help your loved one retain a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Engage in Activities Together
Help your loved one fight boredom by engaging in activities together. Bring a novel, puzzle book, or magazine to pass the time. If they enjoy crossword puzzles or Sudoku, these can be great options. Alternatively, you could bring a deck of cards or a travel-size board game for some interactive fun. If your loved one is feeling up for it, you could also take a walk with them to the nearest lounge or window, offering a change of scenery and a break from the confines of the room.
Offer Practical Help
Sometimes, the greatest gift is offering practical help and relieving some of your loved one's stress. Ask if there are any personal care items they need or any errands you can run. Taking care of tasks that they may be worried about can free up their time and energy for healing.
Bring Comforting Items
Bring some comfortable and practical clothing for your loved one to wear. Hospital gowns can be uncomfortable and dehumanizing. Remember to consider any intravenous (IV) drips or surgical drains that may limit their mobility and clothing options. A comfy robe, warm socks, or a luxurious lotion can also make their stay more relaxing.
Remember, spending quality time is about being there for your loved one, offering comfort, and creating a supportive environment that can contribute to their healing process.
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Make the patient laugh
Being in hospital can be a lonely and isolating experience, so it's great that you want to cheer up your friend or loved one. Laughter is often the best medicine, so here are some ideas to make the patient laugh and bring some joy to their day.
Bring a funny gift
A humorous care package can really brighten a hospital room. Joke books, light-hearted novels, comedy DVDs, or even a whoopee cushion could be a good choice. If your loved one has a favourite comedian or comic actor, you could bring a box set of their shows or films. Or, if they're a reader, a funny memoir could be a good choice. If they're up for it, a game like Cards Against Humanity could provide some laughs.
Make them their favourite drink
If your friend is allowed to eat and drink whatever they like, bring them their favourite beverage. It could be a fancy coffee, a milkshake, or a smoothie. If they're a tea drinker, bring them a special blend or a herbal infusion. If they're allowed alcohol, a small bottle of something nice could be a treat.
Bring some fun snacks
Ask the patient if they fancy anything in particular to eat. If they're allowed to eat whatever they like, bring in their favourite treats. If they're a fan of savoury snacks, bring in some crisps or crackers. If they have more of a sweet tooth, bring in some chocolates or biscuits.
Share some funny memories
Chat to your friend about some fun times you've had together. Remind them of a funny story or incident that will make them smile. You could bring along some photos to spark some happy memories and provide a welcome distraction from the hospital environment.
Offer to do something for them
Doing a kind deed for your friend can bring a smile to their face. Offer to walk their dog, feed their cat, or do a load of laundry. If they have a garden, offer to mow the lawn or do some weeding. Taking some of these tasks off their mind will be a weight off their shoulders.
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Frequently asked questions
Decorate the room with personal items from home, such as photos, a favourite plant, or a comfy blanket.
Bring a care package with items to fight boredom, such as magazines, puzzle books, or a novel. You could also bring some comfortable clothing, fun socks, or a luxurious lotion.
Offer to help with any errands or tasks they need help with. You can also simply spend quality time with them and be present to listen if they want to share what they're feeling.
Do wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before entering the room. Don't bring flowers, as they take up space and are difficult to transport home.
