Mommy22alyns Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) MIL broke her hip last week and has been moved to a physical rehab center. We live about an hour away. What little things could we do to brighten up her days? I asked the girls to draw/color her a picture. I had crocheted MIL a blanket and I asked that they bring it to her. We can't visit too much due to practices, DH in school, and a single car. Any ideas at all? Edited January 14, 2016 by Mommy22alyns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Mail and phone calls are what brightens my inlaws' days. They live on their own and even though they have each other, they are lonely and isolated. They live for mail and phone calls. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 A little care package with her favorite treats would be great. Some magazines or books might be good too - don't forget a TV Guide. A small bottle of lotion might be appreciated as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 A candy jar filled with individually wrapped bite sized candy bars, Hershey's Kisses, etc. can tempt the staff to step in and check on/visit with her regularly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Lotion!!! For some reason, my MIL adored the balloon bouquet we sent. It didn't have to be watered and so it didn't fade and she could see it from her bed. Guilty pleasures--like crossword puzzles or romance novels or (gasp) The National Enquirer--things that are treats that cheer her up. My MIL would not have liked this but my DAD did when he was in his last days: a personal DVD player. Another lady I know, she got a Kindle and it made all the difference for her. She mostly liked the GAMES. LOL. A little notepad for writing down Things to Remember to --do, tell the doctor, ask the nurse, remind the therapist, ask for from the kid, do re: insurance. Ear plugs. You think I am kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabelen Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Skype video calls and photos on messenger. I do this with my sister who is in a nursing home in Spain. Sometimes I don't hear from her for a long time but I know she still appreciates it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooCow Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 One of the things I always did for my mom was to make sure she always had fresh flowers. I wanted others to know she had family and we were 'around'. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 One of the things I always did for my mom was to make sure she always had fresh flowers. I wanted others to know she had family and we were 'around'. I think that is super important: sometimes knowing that someone loves the patient in that bed makes a difference. I had a wretched 10th grade history class when I taught high school years ago. That whole sophomore class was just berserk--truly--they had been a PITB all the way through. On our wedding anniversary, what, #4 or something, my dh sent me 2 dozen roses, and they *happened* to be delivered during that class. For some reason, that made a difference. Those kids treated me differently after that...because they knew someone loved me, I think. I would not be one bit surprised if the same is true in this situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Skip practices. Visit more. Call friends or family who are local to her and twist their arms to visit. Make sure someone is there every day. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneBlessedx4 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Visit more. The balloons sound like a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history-fan Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Visiting is always appreciated. Things that my Mom enjoyed or needed would include; Clothing that was easy to dress herself with, lotion- she liked having a special lotion "oils of Aloha" I would prepay her account/giftcard for her to see the hair dresser or get a massage, or a mani-pedi- that the rehab center had. Cash- so she could buy what she wanted at the store or for church. a pretty container with things like; nail file, scissors, combs, hairbrush, etc. her own swimsuit and coverup so she could use the therapy pool fresh flowers treats in the room-for the staff and her. her room had a small fridge and I would fill it with flavored water. Different flavors of tea bags. puzzle books and pencils and erasers I got her a cell phone so she wouldn't miss phone calls if she was out of her room- and was less expensive than the room phone slippers or shoes that were easy to get off and on. body powder Her own pillow or blanket from home. Hope the list helps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Is the food seasoned enough? My grandmother was happy in the nursing home except the food was rather bland. She liked seasoned and spicy foods. I got her a shaker of Ms Dash (she used that at home) and some pepper sauce. She kept them in a little bag on her wheelchair so she would have it at meals. Also Books magazines Individually wrapped snacks Window clings to stick on her window 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 So many good ideas here. :) I just wanted to stop in and wish your MIL a speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Get her an ipad and Skype! :) Are you going to go in weekly and do her laundry? She'd probably also like a visitor's log, her dresser and comfy chair, and reading material. But seriously, she might be able to learn and use an ipad. Assisted living has wifi, so maybe nursing/rehab does too. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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