Eldercare generally brings hospital stays at some point. Sometimes, we have time to think and prepare, but other times, we don't. Here are some tips that help make a HOME CAREGIVER'S life a little easier when their LO must go to the hospital...
These tips are for CAREGIVERS and not the patient's "survival kit."

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ALWAYS have a bag packed with the following:
•*Copies of DPOA
• Copies of Living Will, if any
•*Copies of the front & back of your LO's Medicare or Medicaid Card, Social Security card and supplemental insurance card (if any)
•*Copies of front & back of state ID card, military ID or driver's license (if any)
•*Copies of the current list of ALL medications and dosages (including OTC meds and vitamins) Copy this information word for word from the medication label. Know WHEN the last dose was given and when the next dose is due.
•*If the patient is on oxygen, note this and how many liters per hour they are on
•*Copies of current brief medical history & any allergies/sensitivities
• Copies of special diet, if any
• Copy of any chart or journal you keep at home concerning your LO's care

(have SEVERAL copies of the above. Don't forget to make more when you get home again)

• Telephone list of important numbers - physician(s), home health, relatives, neighbors
• Extra undies, socks, toothbrush & hairbrush, nail file & mouthwash for you
• Lip balm (chapped lips)
• Tampons, pads, etc. if you use these
• PLENTY of kleenex
• Notebook & pens for documenting, notes & questions
• YOUR medications, OTC headache medicine, Rolaids or equivalent
• Books, magazines, crossword puzzle books, newspapers to keep you and your LO amused
• Cell phone & charger
• Nicorette gum or patches if you are a smoker
• Wear COMFORTABLE shoes so you can run up and down hospital corridors without slipping or blisters - cross-trainers are excellent.
• Some $1 bills and quarters for vending machines, newspapers, etc.

The above kit should be kept ready to go at all times. The items below are supplemental items which can be packed if you have time (ie. not an emergency trip).

• Pillow from home (colored or print pillowcase)
• Sweat suit (hospitals are COLD)
• Comfy slippers for your worn out feet
• Simple snacks and a few canned beverages
• Amusements - handheld games, needlework or simple crafts, reading material

ER visits and hospitalizations are very stressful for caregivers and it's very common to forget things you never would under normal conditions. Having a prepared list at hand HELPS. Write things down so that your brain doesn't have to remember and juggle so much information.

You WILL be asked many questions repeatedly - like when meds were administered last, what the patient has had to eat or drink that day, when their last BM occurred, approximate height & weight of your LO, etc., so when you have a moment, update your paperwork above so that you won't have to remember if/when asked repeatedly. It's also helpful to write down any symptoms and when they began. When you think of more information and questions, WRITE IT DOWN.

If your LO is cognitively impaired, or so sick that they are confused, you should plan to stay with them for at least the first 24 hours. As their primary caregiver, YOU are the "go-to" person and should stay with your person until you think they are sufficiently oriented and/or it is safe to leave them alone or with a hired sitter, family member, etc. Be wise in selecting someone to sit with your LO and be sure it is someone who will inform you of things you need to know, call you if ANYTHING seems odd, and not cause trouble.
• ASK QUESTIONS! ANYTIME a medication is given, ASK what it is and WRITE IT DOWN! Just because you have informed folks 10-20 times about allergies, DO NOT ASSUME that someone won't make a mistake. If something seems wrong or is not what the doctor ordered or discussed with you (you DID write down what the doc said, right?), request that the nurse DOUBLE CHECK before administering it.
• READ the labels on IV bags, etc. to be SURE that your LO's name is on it and not another patient's! When a tech comes to take blood or other samples for testing, ASK what the test is and write it down... After all, there's no need for your mother to have a sperm count, right?!
• It is reasonable to request that ANYONE who examines your LO washes their hands BEFORE they do so. If they do not, ask them to! People DO forget, so there is no reason to be ugly - just remind them.
• PAY ATTENTION to what you are told by the doctor and nurses. Sometimes, they do breeze in and out so quickly, it's almost like you just imagined that they were there, so make sure you have asked the questions on your list (you DID write them down, right?) and understand the answers you are given. Don't be too shy to say something like, "WHOA!! Hold on there, podner - you're losing me. Let's back that horse up..."
• If you don't understand a term or procedure or name of a drug, ASK for a more clear explanation or how to spell what the person just said... Be sure you understand what's going on before the doctor or nurse leaves the room!
• If you cannot understand a doctor or nurse's accent, ASK for someone who can "translate." Be polite, but do NOT just nod your head like a bobble doll and wonder what the heck he/she said... ASK for help if you don't understand what you are being told.
• Be patient! The wheels of most ERs and hospitals seem to turn mighty slowly unless someone is spraying blood everywhere & screamin' bloody murder! If you think something is taking an excessively long time, do ask someone, but be polite - there may be someone in the next room who has bones sticking out every which way that is in more critical shape than your LO. The only exception to this is if someone is not treating your LO with a reasonable level of respect and due diligence; then being assertive and curt is NOT out of line. Do not hesitate to ask for a supervisor if you think something is wrong and you feel like you are being blown off or "handled."
• When possible, go to the ER by ambulance. Your LO will be on a gurney and will either go directly into an ER room, if available, or be parked in the corridor, which keeps you in the way and in the faces of the staff.
• If your LO is on oxygen, do NOT bring their portable unless you are NOT going by ambulance. Be SURE to remind the EMTs and hospital intake person that your LO is on O2 and be SURE they hook them up promptly with the correct liters/hour. Remember that YOU will have to keep up with your LO's personal equipment so travel as light as you can.
• Do NOT bring patient wheelchairs, walkers or canes. It is VERY difficult to keep up with all that equipment and it frequently gets stolen. USE the hospital wheelchairs.
• If your LO is with a caregiver other than you, copies of the starred items should ALWAYS be available (in an envelope marked "In Case of Emergency" with YOUR contact numbers) as certain information will have to be supplied to the EMTs and ER immediately upon transport and arrival.

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I hope that other members will add their tips to this and as they do, I'll add 'em to the discussion above for easy reference.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Moms_Buddy,

I added your tips that were not already included, BC.

REMEMBER: these tips are for HOME CAREGIVERS and do not include much of anything about what should be brought for the patient's comfort. This varies considerably between people because of the differences in their needs & abilities. Different caregiving situations also require accommodations for the person legally responsible for their LO's care. The list above was written with the in-home caregiver in mind. If your LO is cared for by a hired caregiver or you do not live with your LO, you will have to adjust these suggestions to fit your particular situation.

I don't recommend carrying all this stuff around 24/7 in one's car because some items are perishable, some should be updated frequently and because of the personal nature of the information contained in the bag(s), they become security risks for identity theft. If you feel comfortable keeping this stuff in your car, fine; otherwise, keep it close to your door where you can insure its security, fresh supplies and UP TO DATE information.

My purse goes into the bag so I don't have to juggle so many different items. ONE bag is all that is needed. Additional items can be brought later.

Remember: the more stuff you bring, the more stuff you have to keep up with to prevent theft and the more stuff you will have to pack outta there when the patient is discharged, moved, etc.

If your LO is with a caregiver other than you, copies of the starred items should ALWAYS be available (in an envelope marked "In Case of Emergency" with YOUR contact numbers) as certain information will have to be supplied to the EMTs and ER immediately upon transport and arrival. ANYONE caring for your LO in your absence should be DRILLED on what to do in case of emergency and know to hand the envelope of emergency information to the EMTs for them to forward to the admissions folks at the ER in case you cannot arrive there at the same time as your LO.

If YOU are not going with your LO to the ER, it's a smart idea to secure a copy of this information to the patient in case the EMTs forget to hand it over at the ER...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Moms_Buddy,

I keep color photo copies of Mom's IDs, current meds regimen, and insurance cards in MY car and over night bag, not just in Mom's grab bag. I have tried to leave copies for Bro, but he picks up everything else and always leaves this behind. (Can you say, "denial")

There is a great deal of time when Mom is with a CG other than me and if something happens to her, Bro or I might have to meet them at the ER.

If you don't live with your LO, as in my case, such items as have been mentioned in the starting post should be in the trunk or boot of your vehicle always. AND some one dollar bills and a roll of quarters. I also have a spare battery for my cell phone in my purse. (My "purse" might challange many survival packs. Flash light, utility knife, my pills, tiny note book, extra pen, mints, )

It is fortunate that Mom's home is 5 miles from the hospital where she would go making it easy for me to run back to her house, but MY home is 30 miles away. That is still easier than for many.

I admit, though, my habit of always having tooth brush, fresh undies, and dry socks with me dates back to my late teens.