Not Just Flowers

W

hen a family member or friend is in medical distress and is either hospitalized (or bedridden at home), we inevitably want to visit them — and with that comes the need to bring them something. Flowers have usually been the gift for a sick person, but this poses a problem. What flowers are suitable for hospital visits? There is usually a flower shop in the building catering to these needs. A friendly question to the clerk will advise you what you can bring into the hospital room. You should know the gravity of the illness or injury as this could forbid such items as flowers. Some flowers have also been known to spark allergies, adding to the symptoms. What is one to do? In each case you want be seen as caring.

Let’s look at what else could be gifted a sick or injured patient in the hospital or at home. We’ll assume the individual is on the mends so this is your get-well gift.

Here are a few suggestions for an elderly person, depending on the length of stay and type of hospital or rehab institution:

Create a customized gift basket or box stocked with items that personally relate to them such as family photos, sentimental items, anything that could bring memories of bygone times. Check out DIY gifts.

Books are always a good gift but if the person has difficulty reading an option is an audio book. You can give the patient a list of books and together decide on a title and download it for immediate listening. Try audible.com — an Amazon company that specializes in audio books. They're bound to find a title they love. At the same time an audio player and a good set of headphones would be a great addition.

If the patient has a private room and is not seriously sick but needs recuperation you can bring them a new blanket or even a heated blanket, new slippers and socks to wander the halls in, and maybe an aromatherapy candle to scent the room. A stuffed animal can also bring comfort and help ease fears.

No matter what age, people stuck in a room all day — day after day — are bored, so consider bringing them gifts that can occupy them and help the time pass. Institutional rooms are usually austere, so gifting items that can bring a little warmth are welcome.

Get them a journal book in which they can outline their thoughts or start a diary if they enjoy writing.

If you know what they like, bring them a favorite magazine or even a book of jokes or brain teasers…even a jigsaw puzzle. Skyhorse Publishing offers unique gifts of adult coloring books to occupy the time.

Be daring and give a book with a suggestive title for a change in lifestyle (The Art of Meditation).

Bring a small plant. Watching it grow could be very meaningful.

Cram as many meaningful photos onto a digital photo frame as you can and present it as either a gift or a loan for the duration of their stay.

And of course hardly anyone can live without the ubiquitous television. If they are at home or if it's possible in the hospital, buy them a subscription to any of the streaming networks like, hulu.com   Netflix.com , or Amazon Prime video.com. Time can be spent binge-watching so many great shows and movies — this we're sure would be appreciated.

Now let’s not forget our little ones. A hospital is not where a child should be, but children do get sick and love getting gifts. If you are a parent or relative, you want that stay to be somewhat bearable. Remember, what is a great get-well gift for someone age 4 may not be for an 8 year old. Flowers and gifts geared for adults may not be the kind of gift they expect.

Visit iseeme.com and create one or more special personalized books just for that very young child.

Children (depending on the illness or injury) will probably accept any gift you may see in our articles (Buying for the 1-7 Yr-old), (Tweens — Those In-Between Years 8-12) (Teenagers OMG!, and What to get that Geek).

Fun items like balloons, comic books, and toys are more welcome than common sense slippers or pajamas — even if you think this is a necessity. Remember, no one wishes to be sick or injured and stuck in a hospital room (or even at home). With a little thought to your gift, you will make an unhappy person that much closer to mending their body and soul.