Helping a hospitalized senior citizen

• If you have a smart phone, use the "Memo" feature to record all medications. This tip has saved me from forgetting anything and, when someone once again asks what medications my mom is on (and there's a multitude of the suckers...), I just hand them my phone with the memo titled "Mom's medications."
  
  Most hospitals want to know the total dose of medication per day (ex, 50 mg HCTZ) and the dose at each time of day (ex, 25 mg HCTZ morning and night). The total dose is used by doctors to generally check interactions with any new medications they might be prescribing for the senior citizen while the dose per time of day is what they might want to prescribe while your elder is in the hospital. It's best to record both ways in your phone.
• If you aren't prepared with a list of medications, grab all medications before you head out the door. You'll want to get everything your senior citizen friend is taking which is a great reason to keep all meds in a bag in one place in the house.
• Create a word document with all of your senior citizen's medical history. Think back as far as you can (and, if your senior friend can recall their own medical history, you're farther into the game than I am) and record:
  
  1. Surgeries. If possible, you'll want the year but, if you don't have that information, you can ball park it.
  2. Allergies to medications.
  3. Allergies to food.
  4. Family history. For example, you might be asked to recount you senior's parents history of cancer, liver disease, etc.
  5. Past diseases such as measles, mumps, etc.
  6. Last pneumonia/flu shot.
  7. Last tetanus shot.
  8. If you have recent xrays, bring them with you!

Have an overnight bag packed for your hospitalized senior citizen

• 1Baby wipes. No, they're not just for babies any more. Baby wipes are a great refreshener for a bedridden senior citizen (or a nylgahyde-ridden caregiver...). If you can find larger wipes, those are even better.
• 2Toothbrush and toothpaste. Throw in a travel size of mouthwash also. Note: most of the time, the hospital will give your senior citizen a small *courtesy* pack of items which might include the above, but better to be safe than sorry.
• 3A few pairs of clean underwear or Depends. Although your hospitalized senior citizen may balk at having to wear Depends, they're very convenient in preventing accidents while bedridden. Note: Never call them diapers!
• 4Pajamas and a robe. Most hospitals will require your senior friend to don their own horrible hospital gowns, But, if you have pajamas that button down the front, you might be able to sweet talk your way into allowing your senior friend to wear them.
• 5A bottle of water and/or a few snacks. Always hide these in the bag somewhere and don't offer them until you find out if your hospitalized senior citizen can have food and water.
• 6A washcloth and a small bottle of liquid soap. Liquid soap works better than bar soap as you can just close up the bottle and toss it back in the overnight bag with no mess.
• 7A travel sized deodorant.
• 8Some sort of entertainment such as a few magazines, a book, or a crossword puzzle mag.
• 9A few pictures of friends and family to have in the room to brighten your hospitalized senior citizen's mood.
• 10Phone numbers of close friends or family.
• 11A small travel pillow, socks, and a sleep mask.

Have an overnight bag packed for yourself!

• 1Any computer cables you might need. Include an air card so you can have internet if the hospital doesn't have WiFi.
• 2Your telephone charger (duh. This one cost me $25...).
• 3Grooming items such as that toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash.
• 4A travel pillow, socks, and sleep mask - no sense having your senior friend have all the fun.
• 5A book light and reading material.
• 6Earphones.
• 7Snacks for late night. Get things that will stay in a bag and not get stale such as individually wrapped crackers and cheese or nuts.
• 8Starbucks instant coffee. Those little coffee packs that are fairly new just require a cup and some hot water. Very welcomed at 3 am....
• 9Tylenol. You're sure to get a headache. Also, you should have at least a days worth of your own medications packed in a plastic bag. You won't be much good to your hospitalized senior citizen if you don't take care of yourself.