Hi everyone! So this is definitely a topic that I never would have known about if I had never gotten sick. But I did and I now, unfortunately, know. I have learned that people are usually speechless and awkward when looking for the words to say and what to do and buy somebody who is ill. Here are some helpful hints on what to buy!
ALL THINGS SOFT:
- Pillow (Pillows are great especially when you are in a hospital. I got one when I was hospitalized the first time and brought it with me to every one afterwards.)
- Blankets that are soft (This is the only thing you want when you’re in bed a lot at home or in the hospital, but especially when you’re in the hospital.)
- Robe
- Socks – fuzzy, soft, and patterned
- Pajamas – cute ones (When in pajamas a lot you can get into a funk… it is nice to have nicer pajamas. No, this doesn’t change the fact that you are still in pajamas, but it just makes you feel a tiny bit better.)
- Sweats
- Stuffed animal – if you’re a kid, not a big one that you will have to bring home with all the other belongings if this is for someone hospitalized.
GROOMING:
- Face mask
- Nail polish, remover, clipper, file (manicure set)
- Massage gift card
- Hair salon gift card (it is hard to do your own hair when you do not feel well)
- Manicure – pedicure gift card (I don’t know about you but this always puts a smile on my face even on my WORST days and I mean worst!)
READING MATERIAL:
- Magazines
- Books (try not to get depressing stories)
DIGITAL:
- Online shopping gift card
- itunes gift card
- Amazon gift card
- Netflix/Hulu subscription
DISTRACTIONS: ( I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD ENJOY TOYS I PLAYED WITH AS A KID SO MUCH UNTIL I WAS SITTING IN A CHAIR WITH AN IV IN MY ARM FOR HOURS AND IT WAS THE BEST DISTRACTION I EVER HAD!)
- Etch-a-Sketch
- Rubik’s Cube
- MY FAVORITE: Toysmith classic pin art 3D velvet (Look this up it’s that push pin where you put your hand down and it makes a shape. What I just wrote was the “formal” name you can use to buy it.)
- Yo-Yo
- Adult coloring book
- Fidget spinner
IF THEY ARE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A LONG TIME:
- Pictures
- Poster
- Just stuff to put on wall (walls in hospital are depressing, and you tend to stare at them when you are just sitting there for awhile)
- Ear plugs (alarms go off all night in hospitals)
- Soft, dark sleep mask-bright in hospitals (I can’t sleep without one ever since I have been in a hospital)
- Notebook and pen
- Anything on this list
- Just be there for them – call, text, and go and see them!!!
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- When you go and visit them.
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- Some tips will be in the next post on what to say and not to say. People often try to be comforting and end up being the opposite without even realizing.
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DO WHAT THEY CAN’T:
- Help out with rides for the other kids
- Help them do their laundry (I know this not fun but very helpful)
- Helping them with the dishes (Again I know this is not fun, but helpful)
- Ask them what type of food they can eat and either pick it up or cook it for them
- Cleaning service for someone who can’t clean and lives alone
WHAT NOT TO BUY:
- Not something big to carry ( especially if they are in the hospital)
- Flowers (personally I hated flowers and most hospitals don’t let you bring them up for allergy purposes … in my experience )
- Before buying food, ask them if they have a restricted diet. I have had people buy me sweets so many times when I was on medication that I could not have sugar or salt on, and it was just a temptation and another aggravation. Trust me when someone sends you Baked by Melissa you want it. It is annoying, SO ASK! I personally think a gift card to a restaurant that you know the person eats at is best because you then don’t even have to start the whole discussion. In the case of a chronically ill family member or friend, a meal could be very helpful though, so just ask so it is not a complete waste.
TIPS ON HOW TO TAKE YOURSELF:
Even just simply wearing your favorite hat, or putting your hair in a braid, putting on lip-gloss, changing into your favorite outfit, going to the gym, calling a friend, putting on fresh clothes, yoga, maybe even cheating on your diet, or going out with friends, going to the mall, manicure, pedicure, car show, movies, anything … whatever makes you feel more like yourself, it doesn’t have to be something physical. Whatever helps you feel like you and makes you more centered. NOW GO DO IT!
© Samantha Sloves 2019