Care Package??

You could make a basket with a card and nutritional drinks and snacks. The daughter is probably going straight to the hospital and not taking care of herself. If so, she is probably tired of vending machine food by now too. It is a way to show you care and to help her stay healthy and get energy a healthy way. If you think she would take them, you could even put a multivitamin in there to help combat the stress she's experiencing.

I think anythign that would help ease her load. Whether it be frozen meals with throw away plates, etc... The works or a gift cert. For pizza. Maybe volunteer to help with her kids one evenign so she can catch up. My personal favorites are gift certs. For laundy and maid service.

I actually just got out of the hospital and I got two things that were great! A basket of goodies, fruits/candies/gum/beef jerky, things for me and others to eat while I was in there. Also got a basket of necessities, finger nail clippers, soap, lotions...

sorry, didn't read other responses, so i'm not sure if this is repetative, but...

we had a family member in the hospital for a while & they really appreciated our care packages (they talked about them even years later...). we stocked some bags they could take 'visiting session-by-visiting session' without having to pack anything, just grab one bag for two people per each 4-6 hours of visiting.
in it we just pictured ourselves hanging around a hospital for that long, and put things we thought we'd like such as these:
-granola bars
-bottles of water
-quarters (vending machines add even more variety)
-beef jerkey
-apples
-bananas
-mixed nuts
-ziploc baggies of 'finger-friendly' cereal

in a cloth bag, pencil box, whatever...something easy to remove & put in a bag everyday:
-puzzle pages/note pages/pencils
-germ-x or hand-sanitizer (not purell or stuff you often get for free at conferences -- they're too 'sticky' IMHO)
-list of handy numbers (family members, take-out restaurants, *your number* and a note to call anytime, etc.)
-tylenol &/or advil
-gum
-cash for parking
-anything written by c.s. lewis
-lip balm
-small bottle of apricot or avocado oil (instead of fragrant lotian - particular strong fragrances might be haunting for her in the future)

HTH & prayers for your friend & her mom...

I just want to say that I wish I were more like you. How very thoughtful of you. I probably wouldnt have thought of a care package. A card, sure. Thoughtfulness like this really does make a difference. I love the chick basket idea. Lotion, bubble bath, chocolate,Tylenol pm is an excellent idea! OR...this is neato too, have her unwrap a different small gift each day for a week. She will have something to look forward to.

Hello S.,

That's very thoughtful of you. you can also include a nice music CD, a nice magazine.
here is something I found online from someone that received them while her dad was in ICU.

Care Package for the family members who are sitting vigil. We received these and they were SUPER appreciated:

Go love on the loved ones.

slip-on woollie slippers for those sitting at bedside. Hospital floors are cold.
notepads and pens - encourage the family to establish a medical log-book. Why? See the medical log-book post.
a pretty blank journal that visitors can sign in and leave love notes for savoring later
chapstick
hand lotion - lavender is clean smelling and has a bit of a perking-up effect, as does lemon
healthful snacks with shelf-life or small portions of protein snacks that have no shelf-life. A bit of cheese with a handful of good crackers in a pretty napkin - wonderful. A small cup of hot brothy easy-to-sip soup.
boxed juices
a little lavender sachet
a mini-manicure kit (we were amazed at how often we reached for this)
a long bit of string or ribbon and a box of paper clips for a greeting card garland - much wiser than tape if they expect to be discharged or transfered very soon.
prayer shawls for drafts (for the patient or the watcher)
postage stamps and note-cards
SOFT tissues
if you are making up a care package, avoid baskets that -- though cute -- take up a great deal of counter-space.

here is the link:
http://www.adventuresindailyliving.blogspot.com/2008/08/h...
good luck! ~C.~

That is very thoughtful of you S.. I think you should give her a chick basket, put some lotions, and body spray, couple chocolate candy bars, bag of chips, bottle of advil pm, a good chick dvd movie or two tickets to the movies, gift certificate for ice creams, just some chick stuff to let her know you are thinking about her during this time. I would also put a little note or poem, just reminding her how wonderful of a daughter she is and that you are a friend if she just needs a break and someone to talk too, we don't have to be strong all the time, sometimes we can lean on our friend's shoulders...
God Bless You!

A car with your cares for what she is going through is very kind. You could also include gift cards for things like, massage, nails, dinner...

You have wonderful ideas posted here but I just wanted to leave you a little support and encouragement so you can continue to be there for her and for helping her in her time of need.

We lost my husband's mother when we were 23 and dealing with that at a young age is hard and knowing someone is there for you is a good feeling. What you are doing is awesome.

I know when I went through this same situation the most helpful gift I received was a gift certificate at a restaurant. When you finally leave the hospital you are too tired to cook and know you have to eat. Another thing I have done for others in an ICU situation is to furnish a basket. If they are staying there 24/7 some snacks come in handy. I have filled the basket with nutritional snacks and left it with the family.

A care package sounds like a great idea for a 20 something yesr old. What about like some girl mags, the good ones people us stuff like that, and some snacks, since she is probably up at the hostpital alot, you can pu t it in one of those cute fabric bags a t target or something for her to take back and forth to the hospital. A nice card, I tunes gift card maybe. Stuff like that bake some cookies or brownies, water bottle. stuff that she does not think about when having a hard time but would make life a little easier , dinner somewhere card like gift card or something? That may help, you are a good person for thinking about others!

gift card to a resturant or movie
this is somthing she could enjoy for a couple of hours to take her mind off things for a little bit

You've gotten many great suggestions...just wanted to add in a couple more from personal experience. The days in the ICU can be very long and stressful...I found that reading some inspirational books helped to pass the time and keep my spirits up. One of my favorites is "Just Enough Light For The Step I'm On" by Stormie OMartain. A couple of people mentioned food...I especially appreciated homemade food (i.e. chocolate chip cookies). We weren't able to be at home to make our own food and we got burnt out on all the granola bars and vending machine items pretty quickly. Bottles of flavored water are nice, too, and so are individual creamers to put into that hospital coffee. Also, if the mother is in a hospital that requires paid parking, you might consider buying the daughter some parking passes...the expenses add up quickly. The gift card ideas were great, too! Kudos to you for being such a supportive friend!!

These kind of situations are so hard! It's hard to feel so helpless. When my father in law passed away, we lived at the hospital for 3 weeks! I assume she is doing the same now. The best care package we got was a basket full of snacks and entertainment (popcorn, chips, granola bars, bottled water, word search books, magazines, etc.) It is amazing how fast it adds up to eat and pay for parking! If you know of resturants near by maybe a GC to there. It was a big relief to us because that was an expense we did not think of and did not have the money for at the time. Best of luck!

Here are a few things to consider since I just went through this in August with husband in ICU and two surgeries. If you can, include rolled coins for the vending machines as they are usually the only thing around after the cafeteria closes and you want something. Also include personal hygiene items(travel size), shampoo/conditioner, a washcloth and body lotion. Do you know if the daughter does crafts, if so, get her some yarn or such to take up time and give her something to do with her mind besides just sitting there. A journal for her to write her inner most thoughts of these days to help her cope. The other S.

This may be a little boreing but get her a gift card to a restaurant. If she is missing work then she probably isn't getting paid. A free meal is always nice to have when you are broke.

Just lately we had a lady who had been invaluable to our PTA whose husband went through bypass surgery. A friend and I put together a cooler that had water bottles and a few sodas in it. I baked some bananna bread and put that in there too, already sliced. It was taken to the waiting room for all the family to enjoy. I don't know if this girl is alone or what.
She might like a gift certificate from a food place since she will be eating out a lot. You could bundle it with a magazine or good book and a care package of food snacks. Most of all pray for her and her mom. God will answer.
B.

What about making frozen dinners for her that she can just pop in the oven when she is at home. Gift cards to restaurants around the hospital or her hom or maybe a cleaning service depending on how close you are to her. If she has children or pets offering to watch/let them out while she visits her mother.

Any gift, just so she knew someone was thinking about how hard it is on the caregiver, would make her feel cared for, ie. a care bear with note, or take her out to dinner and tell her she needs some care so she can therefore care for her mom, and I doubt if she would take this much time off but a massage is an expensive thing, but if all the muscles are tenses from running and worring , that would be a luxury gift. But even a card to her and maybe one flower with a note would also know people were thinking of her and that is the main thinganyway.

S., Your friend may be going through some really rough times right now, but she's blessed to have you in her life. In 2005 my Mom and Dad were both in the hospital at the same time for almost three months. My daughter and I were run completely ragged. My daughters best friend would show up at the hospital, out of the blue, and would bring dinner, snacks, magazines, etc. It was such a wonderful feeling to know that she and her family cared so much about what we were going through and took the time out of their own busy schedules to see to our needs. When you take your goodie basket/gift cards/etc. to the hospital, be sure to mention that you're praying for her and her Mom and that others are, too. I'll add them to my prayer list and I'll pass it along. I hope everything comes out alright in the end. Take care - and remember, you're a true treasure to your friend - if she can't express it right now, believe me, she feels it. God bless! S.

Snacks to eat at the hospital, maybe bring her dinner, warm sock/slippers, chap stick, and "brain dead" magazine and an inspirational magazine or book, a blanket or pillow. Basically, anything that would make her comfortable while she is sitting there with her mom.

My husband was recently in the hospital and after a couple of days I think I was more exhausted by the hospital food, cold temperature, and uncomfortable chairs than I was by trying to be supportive of him. It is very thoughtful of you to think of her. All of my family and friends were very supportive of my husband but only my mom thought to ask how I was holding up and concerned herself with taking care of me. It really does make a difference and will give her the extra energy she needs to be there and take care of her mother.

How about a gift cerrificate for a manicure and/or pedicure--something that will pamper her--just for her--everyone can use a little pampering and especially when things are very hectic.

When my brother spent some time in ICU someone brought a care package for his wife and those of us staying in ICU. It was a lage gift bag with packages of crackers, Little Debbie snack cakes, microwaveable food, magazines and even a neck pillow for when we tried to sleep. It was the greatest thing!

J.

My advice is to give her a care package of some sort for her to take with her to the hospital. A tote or backpack she can use to transport things filled with Easy snacks, bottled water (or drink of choice), quarters for vending machines, magazines, crossword puzzles, etc...
She is probably so worried about her mom, she's not taking care of herself. I'm sure she'll appreciate it.
I've used this before for when my Girlfriends give birth. Everyone is all about the baby, so I bring a "Care Package" for Mom (Dad too). Its worked really well in the past.
I hope everything turns out ok.

Crossword puzzles or sudoku books, magazines, a visa gift card, even if it only has $10 on it...so she can run and get something small from the gift shop if she needs to, fruit, nuts, check mix, snacks that are easy to carry, maybe a bag to put it all in, a deck of cards, bottled water, a toothbrush and toothpaste if she is having to stay there for long periods of time without going home. Quarters are always nice, for vending machines...you never seem to have enough of those. Maybe cards and stamps if she wanted to write thank you notes, but only if you know her well enough to do that. Also, being out of your normal routine can be expensive, especially if you have to go out to eat when you usually don't, so maybe a gift certificate or two for restaurants near the hospital.

On another note, offer to feed her pets, or put out her trash or other things at home -- do stuff for her in her absence, maybe?

Good luck to you and your friends.

I'm so sorry to hear this, but really appreciate your question as I just lost my dad after many months in & out of the ICU.

Good ideas for the daughter include:
- gift cards for gas and/or parking
- gift cards for quick-service restaurants within walking distance of the hospital (call the hospital to ask what is nearby if unsure)
- gift cards for Starbucks for the drive there
- funny, take-your-mind-off-things books that are easy to read, ala Janet Evanovich, or if you know her favorite genres or authors -- used books are great -- the reading material is good since most ICU's have limited visiting hours throughtout the day & there's a lot of waiting in between visits
- magazines (used ar great)
- if she likes puzzles, a sudoku book
- of course, sincere notes of support are most appreciated
- healthy dinners that are easy to reheat and freeze can be brought to her home; cooking is the last thing you want to do after a day at the ICU

Thanks for thinking of the patient's family. Good luck.

The main thing is to let her know that you are there for her if she needs anything or just to talk. That you are praying for both her and her Mom. A care package of snacks, reading resources may be appreciated for the long hours she is waiting in the hospital. A.

May you be blessed for taking care of others in their time of need.

Because she's having to take care of her Mom, the daughter is proobably not able to take good care of herself, her home, the car, etc. She's probably not taking the time to eat right, the laundry is piling up, you name it. I would give gift cards for restaurants (doesn't have to be fancy), grocery stores, house cleaningor lawn mowing services, dry cleaning gift certificates, etc.

Or if you wanted to make it a little more personal, make her a casserole. Offer to take her clothes to the dry cleaners (save her the trip then pick up the tab). Offer to help her clean her house one day or go to the grocery store. Send your husband or step-son over to mow her lawn.

If her gas bill is adding up because of additinoal trips to the hospital, gas gift cards are appreciated, too!

Gift cards may be a little impersonal, but they're always appreciated, used, and a good "fall back" idea when you don't know what else to do - or not able to do something more personal.

Blessings to you.

Why not get her some gift cards for meals at local resturants. When one of friend's sons was batleing cancer I know that being able to run out for a quick bight close by without worrying about paying for it was a big help. Also you might pay for a house cleaning service to go clean her house once.

B.

Spending alot of time at te hospital is rough. When my friends teenage daughter was in a horrible car wreck and spent months in the hospital I brought her a tote bag with magazines, word searches, a blanket, fruit, powder things for bottled water (turnes it into lemonade or tea), and a few quarters for the vending machines.

I really live the movie and tylenol pm idea. Magazines, Starbucks card, fast food gift card.

The gift certificate to some restaurants is a good idea, or you could take up a collection for cleaning/maid service for a little while until she is back on her feet. Someone did that for me after the birth of my twins and it was SO helpful.

Food is always a nice gift. I had a friend who was struggling and I got a recycleble gift bag at Target and filled it with breakfast bars, healthy snacks, etc. Maybe even include a spa gift certificate so she can TREAT herself after all the emotional stress dies down. Another option is meals - people don't feel like cooking & cleaning during all this! When my mom entered hospice, a friend offered to drive me the hours distance to see her which was greatly appreciated! Just put yourself in her shoes & see whats' lacking for her.

I would go for the day to day things. Groceries - frozen dinners, snacks. Paper products, TP, Paper towels, paper plates. Maid service to clean their home. It's the day to day stuff to goes by the way side when your not home. Also, if she is at the hospital a lot, maybe a gift card to eat out.

Get her a gift certificate for a pedicure/manicure or a fruit/snack basket.

Other ideas: Blockbuster gift card, meal cards to particular eating places...

So many nice things to do for a twenty year old. A basket filled with snacks, to-go restaurant gift cards for grab and run meals, slipper socks and a soft throw to use while staying with her mom in a freezing cold hosp room, a spa gift certificate for a massage to relieve tension and stiff muscles, a schedule of home made meals to be delivered by fellow workers, latest dvd releases (most hosp rooms have dvd players now), magazines, quick read books (Janet Evanovich's sp? Stephanie Plum series fun and distracting...start with the first one). You are sweet to think of her needs. Her mom is getting the best possible care...it is family that does without care. Have fun! I'm sure you and your office can come up with many more ideas. J.

Is she staying at the hospital with her Mom?
When a member of our Sunday School class was at the hospital with his wife this is what we did.
We put together parking vouchers, gift certificates for local eateries around the hospital, and money for gas to drive back and forth. You might also want to include a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, crossword books,ect.

D.
SAHM of three: 19,18,and 5

S. - sometimes it isn't the gift you give but the time you give. I live next to a little mobile home park and the people there really came through for me even though I didn't live in the park. They mowed our lawn, offered to sit with my sick m-i-l so we could get a break or go get a meal, they brought us food, they shopped for us, they ran errands, they picked up our mail and paper, offered to mail out or deliver our bills so they wouldn't be late, let our dogs out and fed them for us, brought lotions and creams to massage m-i-l to keep her from getting bedsores, brought us gift certificates to restaurants near the hospital to help with out of pocket expenses, brought me cards with stamps already on the envelopes so I could write thank-you notes, brought magazines to the hospital so I could take some time to relax.

This went on for three months and the care and concerned continued. Even after we brought my m-i-l home they visited with her to give her a different face to look at, openly prayed for her and for us, and continued to bring us food because of the adjustments we had to make once she came into our home.

We still had to work our jobs, carry on our lives, and be at the hospital any time we were not at work. The things they did made my everyday life a lot easier. So, if you are my neighbors living in that little mobile home park in Shady Shores, thank you for everything you did for us during that stressful time!

I pray your co-worker's mom makes a full recovery and your co-worker finds peace and treasures the friends she has that are trying to help her through this rought time. God Bless.

I think it is so kind of you to think of the daughter. Perhaps a gift card of some sort maybe for gas or food, to help during the difficult time would be helpful. What a kind friend you are. Blessings on you.

I like the gift card idea too, and I think a basket filled with pre-packaged items to eat might be nice. Often when you're in a hospital, you don't want to leave your relative and can't always find something to eat. I've seen baskets with fruit, peanut butter crackers, small sizes of chips or cookies (100 calorie packs), small water bottles, etc.