Gift for elderly person in hospital

Northern78

Hi all

Just after some ideas please.......

I'm off to visit my DH's nan in hospital on Saturday. The prognosis isn't good and it's not known how long she will be here for. She is aware of everything (other than the prognosis) although sometimes gets confused (early Alzheimer's). I was wanting to take her a gift but can't think of anything suitable. Also when asked if she wants/needs anything there isn't anything. Last time she was in hospital I got some photos of our DS and framed them for her to keep at her bed side but she asked her DD to take it home for her as she didn't want it getting lost.

I was going to take our wedding album with me so she could have a look through that and an old family album she passed on to me but can anyone think of anything else I could take??

Thanks

PasturesNew

Bed jacket? So she can sit up and "feel dressed"

hazyjo

I'd forget 'gifts' as such and just take something 'nice' to eat or drink. Or maybe something cosy to wear/put over or round them.

Jx

tea_lover

Maybe some nice hand cream or something similar? During my Nan's last few weeks in hospital I'd massage her hands for her. She wasn't really aware of what was going on, and it was nice to have some sort of contact.... it was relaxing for both of us. I think taking photos to have a look through is a lovely idea.

Person_one

Is she well enough to read? Does she watch the telly or lisen to the radio?

Nice wash stuff is a good idea if she likes that kind of thing. Hospital toiletries are fine, but not exactly luxurious, and some people really appreciate having their own nicer smelling soap, or talc, or deodorant.

Northern78

Thanks for the replies.

I did think about some food or drink but she isn't really in the mood for food.

I like the idea of hand cream, I think she'd like that. She always took great care of herself until she got ill.

Kayalana99

I did a massive photo for my nan that had her whole family on it with 'Because of you' in the middle...although I suppose that goes back to your first post.

She loved it.

zzzLazyDaisy

hazyjo wrote: »

I'd forget 'gifts' as such and just take something 'nice' to eat or drink. Or maybe something cosy to wear/put over or round them.

Jx

I agree with this. She probably has a very short attention span at the moment and may need/want things that she can use in hospital.

Having spent long periods in hospital myself, my most appreciated gifts were

1 something easy and fairly mindless to read such as weekly women's magazines

2 a magazine about something that I am interested in which I could browse without actually doing anything at the time, but that might give me an idea for something that I might do 'when I'm better' (mostly I never did do whatever it was, but it helped me focus on the world outside)

3 a stack of coins for when the trolley came round / for the payphone

4 something nice to drink (check that she is not diabetic or has allergies, and fizzy drinks might be best avoided for some people)

5 If the food isn't very appetising - for me it was HM soup and natural organic yogurt, but for others it might be a tasty sandwich or a nice cake

But mostly it was the pleasure of someone's company - days can be long in hospital.

[Deleted User]

an audible book

trolleyrun

I think at this stage in her life, company is the best gift for her. It's probably quite lonely and possibly confusing for her to be in hospital, so I'm sure she'll enjoy your company If she likes a cuppa, perhaps bring a proper brew in a flask with a few nice biscuits.

couponqueen123

Northern78 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

I did think about some food or drink but she isn't really in the mood for food.

I like the idea of hand cream, I think she'd like that. She always took great care of herself until she got ill.

whats her fav choc or sweet? take that with you or cake ?

maybe if she likes it see if theres a hair dresser that visits the wards and get her hair cut for her i know someone who loved this when they were in hospital but not all hospital have one