Best Overnight Bag for Hospital Stays with Memory Care Patients
- February 23, 2023


1. Paperwork and Documents
Even in an emergency, hospitals need the proper documents to get your loved one checked in for treatment. It is vital to have the correct records in hand at the initial registration, so you aren’t delayed in getting the care your family member needs. You want the focus of the hospital stay to be on the health and well-being of your loved one and not on trying to find the right document. Required documents may include the following:- Photo ID
- Insurance card, Medicare information
- List of medications: prescription and over-the-counter
- Current medical records of treatment
- Emergency contact information
2. Medications and Medical History
Any in-depth medical information you can share with your care team will help them provide better care for your loved ones. If you are coming to the hospital with an emergency, your attention is hyper-focused on that immediate crisis. We often forget past experiences or important information when faced with an emergency. A prewritten medical history is easy to hand to a doctor in seconds and will give a more accurate health picture to use in treatment. Relying on your memory in an emergency can leave room for error and misjudgment, so it’s always a good idea to have a pre-written medical history ready. Remember to bring any records to the hospital needed for current treatment, such as imaging disks or x-rays. Often imaging services are separate from the hospital you are scheduled to go to for treatment. You might need to provide copies of your imaging results to the hospital staff prior to treatment. Other needed medical information may include:- Allergies to medications
- Allergies to foods
- Previous surgeries
- Previous injuries
- Current health issues other than the one being treated
- Relevant family medical history
What Medications to bring to the Hospital
When a loved one is on a regular medication routine, you may be tempted to pack these prescriptions in the hospital bag. Communicate with your doctor about what is best for you or your loved one during a hospital stay. Some hospitals have policies that do not allow you to take personal medication without specific direction from your doctor. Unless you have been told by your doctor to bring medicines with you to the hospital, you should leave all personal medications at home and instead bring a comprehensive list of the drugs your loved one takes with the dosage amounts.
3. Patient Bag
It is important to remember that each patient’s needs may vary along with each hospital’s policies. So be sure to check with your healthcare provider or hospital for any specific guidelines or recommendations for what you can bring to the hospital with you.Essentials
Most hospitals provide patients with gowns and basic toiletry needs. But we all know that hospitals are not 5-star hotels. You can pack a few small personal essentials to help with your loved one’s comfort. Depending on how long your stay will be, you can pack personal toiletry items but avoid products that have perfumes. Your loved one may feel more comfortable in their own clothes. When packing clothes from home, choose clothing that is loose and easy to move in. A cozy set of pajamas can feel comforting in the cooler temperatures of a hospital room. A few items not to forget might be: 1. Slippers 2. Underwear 3. Extra socks 4. Bathrobe 5. Phone charger 6. Shower cap 7. Toothbrush 8. Hairbrush 9. Denture trays Remember to bring glasses, hearing aids with extra batteries, or C-pap machines. You can check with your hospital staff if you need to bring your own walker or cane if your loved one needs mobility help. Often, a patient with memory loss issues will feel calmer with the items they are used to having, even if the hospital can provide equipment during their stay.
Extras
Being in a hospital can be scary for anyone. Now add to normal hospital anxieties the confusion that comes with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Having some personal items can help your loved one feel more comfortable and reduce stress. Helpful items could be anything that brings your loved one a sense of familiarity. This might include:- A favorite book
- An extra soft blanket
- A small picture of family members
- Fidget toy or baby worry blanket
- electronic devices with charging cords
- playing cards or dominos
- knitting
- reading materials
4. Caregiver Bag
Probably one of the most important things to bring to the hospital is YOU. You are the most important advocate and comforting element contributing to the well-being of your loved one. Patients suffering from memory loss issues need to have their family and caregivers with them as they try to navigate a hospital stay. They need reassurance. They need repeated explanations of what is happening. Before you say you have everything for your loved one, make sure you have a bag ready for yourself. Some ideas for items you will need are:- Your medications
- Chargers for electronic devices
- Clean socks
- Slippers
- A jacket or blanket
- A book
- Snacks
- Water bottle

Summary
Your hospital overnight bag doesn’t need to carry the kitchen sink. Planning your bag when you are not in a time crunch or emergency allows you to plan the handful of items that will give the most comfort to your loved one. Family members can also bring items later if needed, so don’t stress too much over what you should pack when it comes to personal items. It is always a good idea to check your doctor and local hospital to learn if there are any hospital policies you need to know about as a senior caregiver in deciding what to bring to the hospital. As we move further away from hospital restrictions, it is important to check on any COVID-19 restrictions. Check with your local hospital to learn if there are specific policies that are COVID-19 related, such as having a caregiver stay with a loved one with memory problems. Packing an overnight bag is easy when you follow a few simple steps.- Consider the needs of your loved one
- Gather needed documents
- Pack the essentials
- Pack a few extra comforts
- Pack the Caregiver’s bag
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