I’ve spent more time in a hospital waiting room than I’d ever hoped to. But life takes unexpected turns like that. When people show up to a waiting room, it’s most often unplanned. So people find themselves huddling in stark waiting rooms, unprepared, stressed out and emotional. If you ever want to offer help to a friend or loved one who finds themselves waiting it out at the hospital, but don’t want to burden them with a, “What can I do?” phone call, here is a great list of items you can throw together and deliver to them.
- Blankets/sweatshirts, etc.: Those rooms get cold!
- Games, puzzles, sudoku, reading material/deck of cards: Keeping them busy and their minds off the wait is a great help.
- Food: Easy snack foods, some healthy options the vending machine wouldn’t provide or a meal that can be easily reheated. Never provide food in a container they’d have to return or keep track of!
- Bottled water: Save them a trip to the vending machine to buy and overpriced bottle.
- Toiletries: Throw a toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, chapstick, a comb, some soap and deodorant into a gift bag and I bet at least one time in there gets used.
- A pillow: If their stay is going to spread into the night, this will be invaluable!
- Gum: This might be beneficial for everyone given the close quarters!
- Handi-wipes/hand sanitizer: Those rooms are a germ haven!
- Sewing projects: This is a must for me!
- DVDs: Most waiting rooms have a DVD player, but you could also bring a laptop or portable DVD player for them to borrow if necessary.
- Notebook and pen: If a doctor is relaying a lot of info, it might be nice to have a quick place to jot it down.
- Clean clothes: If they can’t run home to grab a clean pair, do it for them. Or if that’s not an option, some comfy new sweats might be a nice touch.
- Yourself: Waiting alone during an already emotional situation will make said situation worse. Surrounded them with love will give them strength, especially if they are emotionally exhausted and scared!
Here’s hoping you never have to put one of these care packages together, but if you do, I hope these ideas help!
Take care!
~Mavis
SHARE:
Paula says
What a wonderful idea. I am considering dropping off some of these items at our local hospital for our holiday community gift. Thank you for all of your inspiration. I’m sorry about your loss.
Pam says
I love the community gift idea! I think I’ll work with my kids to put some of these together.
Jennifer says
Great list. I would add:
roll of quarters for laundry, snacks, etc.
gift card for Starbucks and/or restaurants in or close to the hosptial
dry shampoo
fruit and veggies–precut and easy to eat
anything homemade–cookies, for example, enough to share with other visitors
kleenex
We enjoyed getting a bucket of bagels, as some doctors do their rounds early and nurses change shifts in the morning, and it’s nice to not have to leave the room to grab breakfast. Bagels will keep a few days.
Thanks for your list! So sorry for all you are going through!
Melissa says
Great ideas Mavis – and i would add a phone charger if you can swing by to get theirs from home or have a spare of the same kind!
I was recently in a waiting room that had library books either donated or available to borrow (I didn’t check for sure) under a king county library sign – looked like maybe they had a scan tag you could just scan from your phone to check them out – thought that seemed pretty cool 🙂
Denise says
I have been in your shoes before, and one of the greatest things someone brought us was an inexpensive Styrofoam cooler filled with various drinks and sandwiches cut into fourths. A waiting room is such a difficult and trying time; we were so grateful for people who helped meet some of our basic needs.
Jennifer Jo says
Gift certificates called into local shops, like a bagel shop. A friend living Burkina Faso did that for us and it was wonderful.
Sam, momma to 5 says
I think this is a beautiful post. Practical, beautiful and well-spoken, just like you! I’m sorry for your pain & loss.
Tammy says
This is a great list. Thank you for putting it together.
I’ve been praying for you and your family.
Debi says
I have spent many hours in hospital waiting rooms and this is an excellent list. I’m sorry for all that you are going through.
Practical Parsimony says
When I have to go to a doctor’s appointment and a friend with diabetes takes me, I always bring along a bag for him: bottle of water, fast-food napkins, string cheese, grapes in a snack bag, pack of peanut butter crackers, stick of jerky cut in one inch pieces and in a snack bag so he won’t have to gnaw it off. Plus, I put in a Reader’s Digest. This way, his blood sugar will not drop and he spends no money. This kind of care package is good for long doctor visits and procedures especially out of town. He appreciates it and I don’t have my ride passed out. Plus, it makes him less gripe-y.
Julia says
Wonderful post. We have spent innumerable hours in the ER with our son who has autism and is accident prone. As parents, most of our waiting is done in the ER rooms, not the waiting room. I’ve gotten good at grabbing key items as we head out the door: a big warm pashmina wrap (why are hospitals so cold??), a book (and my reading glasses), snacks, money for the vending machine, water bottle, my son’s favorite stuffed animal, and a phone charger. The best thing anyone brought us during an especially long wait was a take out meal after we had missed both lunch and dinner.
Teresa says
Thank you Mavis–Good info. My prayers are with you and your family. A hug to your mother too.
Cenith says
My sister, sister in law and myself spent 30 days in an ICU waiting room when my brother had an aorta anuyism. We only left long enough to shower each day. Our friends and family were wonderful bringing pillows and blankets for those long nights. Crossword and search a word books for those endless hours. And snacks for those times when nothing would do but a sweet/salty snack. But the lesson I learned is have a light blanket, extra socks, a hoody and a pair of comfy sneakers in the car. Since then (8 years ago) I’ve had 3 visits to the emergency room with various people. I always can go out to my car and get the very basics to be comfortable for however long I’m there. It takes a small area in your car to be prepared for life’s emergency.
Rosaleen says
A Catholic family might appreciate rosary beads, and many would sppreciate meditation or prayer materials (Bible, Koran, etc.]. Prayer is one positive way to pass time.