By KneeReplacement.com

All caregivers, whether moving in to a friend's home to provide assistance or caring for someone in their own household, will want to take a few things with them for their own comfort when their loved one goes to the hospital. Caregivers who are temporarily moving in to care for a joint replacement or other type of surgery patient will need to pack twice-once for the hospital and again for their stay with the patient at home.

In the week before your loved one's surgery, designate a place in your home for the things you will be taking with you to the hospital and to the patient's home, if you are leaving your home.

Create a list of items to pack and as you pack, check off the items on the list. A checklist can be very helpful for caregivers who cannot easily return home to pick up forgotten items.

For the Hospital

For much of the time your loved one is hospitalized, he or she will not be up to long conversations. In fact, depending on the type of surgery and the effects of the anesthesia and medication he or she is taking, your loved one may sleep a great deal. That’s why it is essential to pack for your own entertainment.

Pack to Entertain Yourself

In the hustle and bustle of today's fast-paced world, few of us ever get enough "down time" to pursue all of our interests. As a caregiver of a joint-replacement patient, you will find yourself with plenty of time in hospital waiting areas while your loved one is being cared for. Look at this "down time" as an opportunity to do things you normally would never make time for. It's one of the few times when you won't face the interruptions of day-to-day life. Approaching the situation this way turns the waiting time into productive personal time:

• Catch up on your reading. Pick up the newspaper. Many hospitals have gift shops that sell a variety of newspapers, magazines, crossword puzzles and books. Or take along that novel you picked up but haven't had a chance to read.
• Do some writing. Bring along some stationery, two working pens, envelopes and stamps and catch up on your correspondence. For writing quick notes, consider postcards.
• Catch up on bills and household work. Perhaps you'd like to organize your recipe file, or catch up on household paperwork. Pay your bills, read your trade magazines - do all the things that are normally hard to find time for.
• Enjoy a hobby. If you have a craft hobby like knitting or crocheting that is easily managed from the comforts of a hospital chair, bring it along. Avoid bringing craft items with multiple or messy parts or that requires glue or other adhesives. Think small, neat, and quickly stored.
• Get some work done. A laptop computer might provide hours of productive distraction, but check with the hospital first on its policy on electronic devices.

Bring the Essentials for Comfort & Hygiene

• Bring along a pillow and a throw blanket. Your loved one will have all the comforts of a bed - you'll likely have to make do with a chair. Some hospitals will allow caregivers to stay in the room at night with their loved ones, but many do not have extra accommodations.
• Bring a bag with toiletries and underwear. Pack a plastic zipper-type bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor, soap, deodorant, and feminine toiletries.
• Wear comfortable shoes and pack non-skid slippers and a pair of socks. If you are staying for long periods of time or especially if you hope to stay with your loved one at night, slippers will be a welcome change at the end of the day. The temperature in the hospital may be cooler than you might expect, and socks can provide both warmth and comfort.

Pack to Take Care of Your Health

Don't forget your medication. Make sure that in the week prior to your loved one's surgery you fill or refill your medications and place them with the items to pack for the hospital.

• Take your eye glasses and/or a case and solution for contact lenses.
• Pack a snack. Take along some non-perishable snack food - individual packages of cookies, nuts, granola bars - whatever you like that can be easily packed and isn't messy.
• Pack bottled water. Hospital air can actually be dehydrating. Be sure to keep yourself refreshed and hydrated.

Pack Important Paperwork

Be sure to pack critical paperwork such as:

• Your loved one's medical information. Bring along a listing of all medications, nutritional supplements, allergies and health conditions. Include a list of other physicians your loved one sees and the phone numbers for the doctors' offices. Bring along the same information on yourself. Click here for an "Emergency Information Form." Print one for you, one for your loved one. Insert Emergency Information Form.
• Legal documents. If you and the patient have secured a Durable Power of Attorney, bring a copy along. If your loved one has a Living Will, bring a copy of this along too. Bring identification for yourself, and keep your loved one's identification with you.
• Insurance information. Pack insurance and prescription cards and contact names and numbers, for your loved one and for yourself, if different.
• Printed material from the surgeon. Bring along all the paperwork related to the surgery that has been given to your loved one.
• A list of phone numbers and a pre-paid phone card for long distance calls. You'll want to make calls to family and friends throughout your loved one's recovery. Cell phone usage is often forbidden inside hospitals because of conflicts with hospital monitoring equipment. If you intend to use a cell phone for long distance, be aware that you may have to step outside the hospital to make calls. Check with the hospital for their policy on cell phones before your loved one checks in.

The hospital is not the place for some things. Thefts take place in even the most secure places. Leave your valuables at home. You will need some cash for meals and possibly for parking, so do take along enough cash to cover expenses.

For Home

If you are temporarily moving in with your loved one after surgery, you'll need to pack sufficient clothing and personal supplies for the expected length of your stay. Be sure to pack the essentials, and remember that you'll be in charge of the laundry and the shopping while your loved one recovers. You can pick up additional supplies at the grocery store as needed, and if you pack washable clothing, you'll be one cycle away from clean clothes anytime.

The Essentials

• Nightgown/pajamas
• Robe
• Slippers
• Toiletries (toothbrush/toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, razor, shaving gel, soap, shampoo, conditioner, tweezers, nail clippers, hair brush, comb, hairspray, etc.)
• Hair dryer, curling brush, curling iron
• Comfortable clothing (casual, washable slacks, shirts, blouses, t-shirts, shorts, etc.)
• A belt
• Socks and underwear
• Two pairs of shoes