Ideas For Patients & Caregivers
How To Improve Comfort

Tips For Patients

» Tips For Patients
» Tips for Caregivers, Friends and Family

Comfortable clothes - Feel free to pack your favorite sweats, t-shirts, pajamas to take with you to the hospital. It is helpful if they are roomy to make it easier for changing IV's, etc. You may want to double check with your doctor or nurse, but usually it is fine if you bring your own clothes.

Slippers - Or comfortable shoes that are easy to take on and off. It is great if you can keep moving while you are staying in the hospital. Even just a couple of laps up and down the hall will go a long way in keeping your "sea legs."

A blanket or comforter - It is great to be able to wrap up in a cozy blanket that is all your own. You can get individual blankets that are easy to pack, but big enough to wrap up in.

Notepad/pens - Questions about your care and treatment may occur to you after the doctor has made his or her rounds. It is helpful to write down your questions as they occur to you, so that you can ask the doctor or nurse when they come back. Also, it may be helpful to get in the habit of asking the doctors for their business card. You may have various doctors that come in to see you and you may not always be able to keep them straight. In addition, the cards are handy to have when you are out of the hospital and have questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Treatment notebook - It may also be helpful to keep a notebook of your lab work and procedures, as well as a list of your medications. During treatment you may be seen at different hospitals. Having your treatment summary organized makes putting your health history together much easier, and it may also be helpful for insurance purposes.

DVD/CD player - A portable DVD or CD player is a great comfort. With the DVD player you can watch movies as well as listen to CDs; perfect for those times when there are limited options on the television.

Decorations - We encourage you to bring pictures, posters, or drawings with you to the hospital; anything that will help to brighten your room and make you feel more positive about your surroundings. Hang pictures of your family and friends, or put up pictures of a favorite destination, or one you have not yet visited. The pictures will help keep you connected to the world and life outside of the hospital and help you to look towards the future, beyond treatment.