What Should I Bring While My Loved One Is In Rehab?
Here is what you should bring!
When visiting someone in the hospital, especially after a brain injury, it is important to bring items that can provide both support and comfort. Here are some suggestions on what you should bring for your loved one …
- Comfort Items: Bring items that can provide comfort, such as favorite blanket, pillow, or maybe even a stuffed animal.
- Comfortable and Loose Fitting Clothing: While in the rehabilitation stage of your loved one journey, it is important to have comfortable and loose fitting clothing since they will be up and working with the rehab staff. Loose-fitting pajamas, sweat pants, and loose-fitting shirts are best.
- Shoes: Though hospitals will have socks with grippers, your loved ones may be able to participate in activities such as walking and standing with shoes to allow for greater support. Slippers with backs and grippers are good to provide. Laceless or non-laces shoes are the best!
- Personal Items: Though hospitals will have these items, some patients/families prefer their own. Bring in personal hygiene items like a toothbrush, comb or brush, shampoo & body wash, and any other toiletries your loved one may need.
- Pictures: Bring photos of family and friends to help your loved one feel more comfortable and at ease. These can also be beneficial for rehab team to incorporate into their treatment sessions.
- Entertainment: Bring books, magazines, and music to help your loved one pass the time during the day when they are not working with rehab team.
- Eyeglasses or reading glasses: Glasses can be a common items that loved one’s may forget to bring. Glasses are important for the rehab team especially since vision plays such a viral role.
- Medical Information: Bring any relevant medical information or documents, such as insurance cards or a list of medications, in case they're needed during the visit. The medical team/staff will let you know what is needed.
- Personally Relevant Activities: Families can play a crucial role in promoting motivation and engagement during rehabilitation by bringing in personally relevant activities for their loved ones. Examples include:
- Video games: If the patient enjoys playing video games, bringing in their favorite games can serve as both a recreational activity and a therapeutic tool. Many video games offer cognitive challenges, fine motor skills practice, and opportunities for social interaction (e.g., multiplayer games) that can align with therapy goals.
- Tasks related to work: Bringing in tasks or materials related to the patient's work or profession can be highly motivating. This could include work-related puzzles, simulated tasks, or discussions about their job responsibilities. Integrating work-related activities into therapy sessions helps the patient see the relevance of rehabilitation to their daily life and career aspirations.
- Hobbies: Incorporating hobbies that the patient enjoys can make therapy sessions more engaging and meaningful. Whether it's painting, gardening, crafting, or playing musical instruments, these activities can promote emotional well-being, creativity, and physical dexterity. Therapists can tailor interventions to incorporate aspects of these hobbies for a holistic approach to recovery.
Be mindful that room changes occur in hospitals! Hospitals do not recommend loved ones to bring in sentimental or valuable items for this reason. Label all items!
Cell phones: Loved one’s may be so tempted to leave their family members with their cell phone to allow for communication. However, it is important to speak with the doctor’s and rehab team first before leaving your loved one with their cell phone.
Providing a cell phone to a family member who has sustained a brain injury can pose challenges due to safety concerns, communication difficulties, potential confusion, financial risks, privacy issues, and the potential for distraction and overstimulation. It's crucial to carefully consider the individual's specific needs and abilities, consulting with healthcare professionals and caregivers to determine the most appropriate means of communication and support.
If cell phones are approved by medical team, bring a charger and label all items.
Reminder !
Check with the hospital staff beforehand to see if there are any specific guidelines or restrictions on what you can bring. They can also provide guidance on what items would be most helpful for your loved one during their recovery. And most importantly, offer your emotional support and presence during this challenging time.