Chances are, your senior parent will experience a fall or a sudden medical emergency that requires them to be admitted to the hospital at some point. Every year more than 800,000 seniors are admitted to the hospital after falling at home. And more are hospitalized with UTIs, cardiac events, and other illnesses.
Your senior parent should have a hospital bag that is packed with all the essentials that they will need if they are admitted to the hospital. You may want to keep the bag at your home so you can bring it to them in the hospital. But if you live far away your senior parent should place the bag near the door so that they or a home care provider can grab it on the way out the door. A home care provider can also make sure that these important items are in the bag:
Copies Of Important Papers
Seniors should have an envelope in their hospital bag with copies of their ID, their insurance card, a list of the medications they are taking, and any other important information that the doctors might need to treat them.
Having that information easily available may make it easier for the emergency responders to treat your senior parent and it can speed up their admittance to the hospital.
Comfortable Clothing
No one wants to wear a hospital gown if they don’t have too. Seniors should have some loose-fitting warm pajamas, a robe that is easy to put on, heavy socks, and slippers in the bag so that they aren’t stuck in a cold hospital wearing nothing but a hospital gown. Having cozy pajamas and warm slippers will make seniors feel more comfortable in the hospital.
Toiletries
A toiletry kit or even just a plastic freezer bag that has toothpaste, a toothbrush, denture cleaning tablets if your senior parent has dentures, deodorant, some baby wipes, and other toiletries should be in the bag too. Being clean and being able to take care of their basic hygiene will make seniors feel less disoriented in the hospital.
Glasses and Hearing Aids
Get a second pair of prescription eyeglasses, a second pair of hearing aids, or any other adaptive items that your senior parent needs and keep them in the hospital bag. Your senior parent may not always be able to grab their glasses, hearing aids, or other items on their way to the hospital.
Prescription Medications
If your senior parent needs prescription medications for their heart, blood pressure, or other serious conditions put some of their medication in their hospital bag. Don’t assume they can get that medicine at the hospital because they may not be able to get it when they need it.
A Music Player And Headphones
Load an old smartphone or MP3 player with your senior parent’s favorite music and put it in the bag along with a charger and some headphones. Your senior parent will greatly appreciate being able to pass the time listening to music.
Snacks And Water
Your senior parent may spend a lot of time in the emergency room before being admitted, which means they won’t be getting regular meals. Put some bottled water in the bag and healthy snacks like protein shakes, little bags of nuts, crackers, or fruit bars.
Puzzles And Games
Visiting hours in the hospital are limited, especially right now with Covid-19 still being a problem. Pack books, crossword puzzles, magazines, or other distractions in the bag so your senior parent will have lots of things to keep them from getting bored if they’re alone in the hospital.
Chargers and Electronics
You may want to put an old phone in the bag loaded with the phone numbers for friends, family, and your senior parent’s home care provider so they can make phone calls. Don’t forget to include a charger! A table pre-loaded with movies and TV videos also is a good thing to include.
Comfort Items from Home
Your senior parent may appreciate having a favorite photo, a stuffed animal, or other items that they love from home so that they will feel less scared and alone when they are staying in the hospital.
Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html
If you are considering home care in Houston, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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