The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

nursemaggie

Hello whiteguineapig. Statistically you are far more likely not to go into hospital. Your just as likely to go into hospital as an emergency as planned, in which case you are more likely to have neither with you.

If you go into hospital as an emergency you are also more likely to end up in a hospital gown anyway. Hospitals do keep spare nighties and pyjamas for emergency admissions. They also have toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo etc.

I presume as two nighties and one pair of pyjamas have been in a box under the bed for 33 years, I take it you don't wear them. Why buy something you are more likely to never use?

Unless you are totally alone in the world and no one will visit you, they do sell nighties in hospital shops. If you had an operation on your abdomen you may find pyjamas uncomfortable. Hospitals are not as hot as they used to be so you may find when you are up and about your legs are cold.

There are lots of reasons why both are best but I think the pros and cons will take a whole page.

If you don't wear either I think you would be better off leaving some money in an envelope to give someone to go buy whatever you need if the occasion arises. As for a dressing gown and slippers that adds even more to the cost. Likely cost two nighties £20, dressing gown, £30, slippers £10. Why tie up £60 for what may never happen.

I hope it never happens. We can't possibly cover for every eventuality.

fuddle

As someone who prepares I understand the feelings of being prepared for something that I fear may happen. I don't have a hospital bag but at 36 I don't fear a sudden hospital stay will be needed and I expect any risk to me would be outdoors any way.

That said I have been with a number of older people wh have needed emergency attention whether it be a fall and bang on the head to a stroke. I have never had a person of older age been prepared but I can say that from these experiences I saw how an already panicked situation made that much worse because of having to leave home unprepared.

I would be inclined to think about a night shirt - long enough for dignity but also unbuttoned for easy access top and bottom. Hats off for preparing although the thrifty in me would say 'ave a look at under the bed items... will they make do maybe?

whiteguineapig

Thank you for the answers, you'v all given me plenty to think about! (I knew I could rely on you all)
I think that i will get a lighter dressing gown at least, I do have one but its a thick winter one that I use every day and it would be too warm for hospital (and a bit too scruffy as well)
The rest I will keep an eye out for in sales etc
Thank you all again

melodramaticme

Just as important, if not more so, is a list of medication that you are currently using, even if the medicines themselves are not to hand an up to date list is really essential.

Softstuff

I took pjs last time, loose ones. Though I was having abdominal surgery, which meant they weren't as practical as a nighty would have been, I haven't worn a nighty in over 20 years (I also don't own skirts or dresses), so felt my mental comfort outweighed the physical. I didn't worry about a dressing gown, I tend to only wear one to stay warm, not for decency!

I'm feeling blessed with some good luck recently. No cat poo for 2 days, picked up a free wingback armchair which is perfectly sound structurally, just needs recovering and picked up a free single metal bed and mattress for the spare bed (frame needs rustpainting, then painting a colour, mattress needs a coffee spill cleaning off). Not sure why people give away wonderful furniture, but I'll keep takjng advantage of it until the house is full!

mama67

fuddle wrote: »

I did make chicken gravy without browning and it tasted really yummy but as you say it's a life learned acceptance of what it should look like and felt bizarre pouring what looked like dirty dish water over my food.

My grandma taught me gravy making when I was little and if I remember rightly she used veg water, meat stock and thickened with remainder of yorkshire pudding mix... and also that browning salt. So other than colour that browning stuff was probably only adding a bit of salt to the flovour.

That is how I still make my gravy, I use Cross & Blackwell gravy browning, comes in a bottle similar size to worcester sauce. I think Tosco still sell Comptons if that helps

camelot1001

I ran the Sport Relief Mile this morning, gosh I am unfit! I also did it at school on Friday so for someone who hasn't even run for a train in the last decade I feel pretty proud of myself!

The weather here has been absolutely glorious this weekend, I've made a start on the garden and planted some seeds, they are in the conservatory, fingers crossed something grows.

Hope you've all had a good weekend.

FurryBeastOz

camelot1001 wrote: »

I ran the Sport Relief Mile this morning, gosh I am unfit! I also did it at school on Friday so for someone who hasn't even run for a train in the last decade I feel pretty proud of myself!

The weather here has been absolutely glorious this weekend, I've made a start on the garden and planted some seeds, they are in the conservatory, fingers crossed something grows.

Hope you've all had a good weekend.

Well done camelot. Yes it has been lovely this weekend - we ran this morning. Still misty, and one very surprised shaggy cow:rotfl:

I've just planted my violas out (they've been in the passage for 2 weeks, but they seem to be OK.) The soil is perfect. The frost has broken it up but we haven't had enough rain for it to be soggy. I got a H***base money off voucher in the post this weekend. I may be forced to go and have a look tomorrow:D

ETA: My computer obviously doesn't work like Monna's. I'm surprised I got the description of the cow through autocensor!

Softstuff

Well done Camelot.

wondercollie

For hospital stays, just wear what the hospital provides. The gowns are designed to accommodate the IV lines.

There are unlimited gowns, pjs, and house coats in hospital. Stains, dampness, nurse provide clean and dry garments. Do yo really want to do laundry or wash soiled items?

We even has disposable slippers.

With hospitals having all sorts of bugs in them, do you really want to expose your home to them?