Place your hand there so that it gets pushed up and down as you take each breath. There are plenty of books and apps that can start you off.īreathing exercises are a good place to begin. Doctors often recommend courses in the technique instead of taking medication. Mindfulness has become a successful alternative treatment for anxiety. They use it for comfort by touching it when they need to calm themselves. Some older people like to carry a grounding object with them such as a stone or other small item, perhaps something that has special personal meaning. Concentrate on things like the movement in your hair as you gently shake your head or how your feet feel on the floor or whilst lying in bed. These could be things like traffic noise or vibrations from a radiator or fan.įeel how your clothes touch your skin. Listen carefully to the sounds around you. Look around you, take note of the colours, any people and the shapes of any objects you see. 2 things you can smell or like the smell of.3 things you can touch (go ahead and touch them too).It can help you deal better with feelings of anxiety. Remember this 5,4,3,2,1 approach for when you are in hospital. These can be helpful when you feel distressed, especially if you experience disquiet that makes you feel unreal or detached. You can do a lot to prepare beforehand when you pack a suitable bag.īut here are some ideas to take with you: Grounding Techniques Something that many older persons overlook is to think about ways to help reduce the stress they might experience during a hospital stay. Some Virtual Items to Pack That Will Help You to Relax A pen and paper to write down notes and reminders from doctors or nurses.A book, magazines and some puzzles to pass the time.A protective case and containers for glasses or dentures.Here are some other useful items things to pack for your hospital stay: Remember to bring a change of clothing for when the hospital discharges you. It’s a good idea to pack enough short-sleeved shirts. It’s possible you may need to have certain tests or treatments like injections through your arms. Bring slippers and sandals for trips to the bathroom. Pack sufficient changes of these types of clothing. You should also bring the clothes you prefer sleeping in along with a cardigan or some similar loose-fitting overgarments. You might have a favourite blanket, towel or cushion that could come with you, for example. Hospitals would typically encourage you to leave valuables at home. However, bringing something you enjoy using every day at home can help you relax and make your stay a bit more pleasant. Hospitals can be noisy places, so bring a set of earplugs and an eye mask too if you have one. Pack a set of headphones if you use your phone for listening to the radio and podcasts or for watching TV. Make sure you understand how to turn it on and off and how to put it into silent mode. If you have a smartphone you use regularly, bring it along with its mains charger and a separate power pack if you have one. A debit card and a small amount of cash will also be useful. This could include things like medical cards, referral letters from your doctor or some form of ID. You should bring with you any documentation that you think the hospital might need to see. Everything is replaceable and everything is retrievable. Remember that if you do forget something, it’s not the end of the world. No packing list is ever going to be exhaustive. A small pack of handy wet wipes along with a favourite hand cream or moisturizer are useful extras. The first things to go in should be your toiletry bag and sufficient underwear for your stay. The design of these kinds of cases and bags means they typically have compartments you can use to divide up your belongings. The size is going to depend on how long you expect your hospital stay to last.įor a short visit, take an inflight case that has wheels, if you have one. It’s All About the Bag and What to Pack for a Hospital Stay We’ve consulted broadly so read on for a list of everything an older person might need for a stay in hospital. One way to reduce your stress levels is to prepare well and pack a suitable bag for your stay in hospital If you’re used to receiving homecare, the thought of hospital treatment can be an anxious time, particularly if you are elderly. After all, hospitals are full of some of the most clever, caring and warm staff you could ever meet. If they could choose, most older people say they’d prefer not to stay even one night in hospital.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |