Make Your Life A Little Easier, Despite Frequent Hospitalizations
Take Care of Yourself
As a caregiver, it is important to remember to take care of yourself. Have you ever heard the saying “you can’t pour water from an empty cup”? Well, that is so true when you are running around from appointment to appointment, sleeping in hospital chairs, and trying to coordinate care.
Here are a few tips that I recommend that can make your life a little easier, despite frequent hospitalizations.
- Wear comfortable clothes – You may there for hours, and it might be more comfortable for you to move around
(Don’t dress to impress) if you are in yoga pants instead of skinny jeans. You aren’t there to impress any one with fashion, you are there to advocate for a loved one.
- Wear comfortable shoes, especially for standing. You need to be mobile in the hospital. Even walking to the bathroom can be a hike. Sometimes space is tight and you need to stand to give the medical providers the space they need. Wear comfortable shoes to walk or stand when needed. Also, I don’t know about you, but I need to do something when I am stressed. I prefer to take laps instead of eating cookies from the vending machine.
Pack a Bag
I have a backpack that has lots of compartments and is comfortable, so I use that as my go bag. Click here to download a check list.
- pack water – I like the shaker bottles so it is big enough to put water and ice in it. If you ask nicely the nurses will even refill it for you.
- phone charger- hospitals often have bad service so your phone battery will die quicker. Make sure you have a phone charger. I found it helpful to just buy a new charger from Walmart and keep it in my bag.
- snacks – especially healthy ones. grab an apple, orange or granola bar.
Shakeology helped keep my body full of nutrients when I was surrounded by hospital food and vending machines. Hospitals are full of comfort food, not necessarily healthy food. Unfortunately comfort is often greasy and carbs, and will make you feel sluggish.
- money for food/snacks – Let’s face it, we live in a technological world. I don’t know about you, but I hardly ever carry cash anymore. Well if you get a midnight craving for some chips or junk, then you better have some cash or coin. It is easy to throw a couple dollar bills and some quarters in a baggie and toss it in your bag.
- notebook – If your job is to be the patient advocate, they you better be organized and informed. Make notes of any questions you have for the doctors, tests they are scheduling, and possible diagnosis.
- history/med list – As I have said before in other blogs, it is important to have plenty of copies of the medication lists. I like to keep a copy in my bag just in case there are any questions.
- your favorite book/ tablet – There is lots of down time in the hospital. Sometimes I use the philosophy “when they sleep, you sleep,” and other times I try to catch up on my reading or favorite tv show.
Here is a great little travel pill box. Keep this packed with your pills so you can just grab it and go – never forget your meds again! - your own medications – If you are heading to the er, and think you may be there a while, just grab your daily medications. Again you don’t want to mess up your own health while trying to take care of them.
- craft or project – It can be something that you may look forward to working on, that you only work on while in the hospital. knitting, drawing, needlepoint etc. This way you can see something that you have accomplished while in the hospital.
- contacts/glasses – If you wear contacts, you know the pain you feel after wearing contacts for 16+ hours, especially after crying. Do yourself a favor and toss a contact case and some solution in your go bag. Worst case, you can rinse them out and give your eyes a break. If you remember to grab your glasses, then that’s even better.
Keep in mind, this will get easier. You will get better at grabbing the things you need, and packing up will be less stressful.