Every once in a while you run into a blog post that is just so good it needs to be shared. I found such a post on
Danelle's blog Outnumbered.
We have so many opportunities to serve others,
Danelle has just posted some great ideas on giving and serving those in the hospital. She also knows how to care for patients once they get home. Hospital stays are quite short now so patients really do need help once they return home. With her permission please allow me to share
Danelle's blog post.
The past few weeks, I've taken meals in
to two different friends. One just had a baby, and the others husband
had been in the hospital for a minor surgery. Meals are always
appreciated, but there are some other great things you can do for
friends and neighbors when someone in the family is experiencing a
hospital stay.
The Snack Basket: This is hands down my favorite way
to help someone out during a hospital stay. When E was in the hospital
after his first seizure, one of our friends raided her pantry and
brought us a huge basket of snacks. It was full of things like granola
bars, fresh and canned fruit, and crackers. It was a lifesaver!
Often,
when a family member is in the hospital, people are coming and going,
but no one has time to sit down to a full meal, or do any grocery
shopping. Everyone's schedules are disrupted. This is especially true
if the hospital visit is unexpected. During a family emergency, eating
right (or eating at all) can be the last thing on anyone's mind. We
literally lived off of our snack basket for two days. It's also
portable, and can be carried back and forth to the hospital, where both
patients and visitors often need or want something to eat.
Snack baskets are also quick and easy to put together. Try picking up a
few cheap baskets when you see them on sale. There's a good
chance you'll have enough food in your pantry and/or refrigerator to
make up a basket on the spur of the moment. You could also include
things like homemade cookies, beef jerky, fruit leather, nuts, popcorn,
pretzels, juice, and even some chocolate or candy. Easy Mac is great for
older kids who might be home alone without anyone to cook for them.
Individually packaged portions like the 100 Calorie Packs are great for
something like this too.
An Offer to Watch Children:
If you can offer to take someone's children during a hospital stay, I
can tell you from experience, they will be eternally grateful. This is
especially true of mothers who are due to deliver a child and have other
young children at home. More so if they don't have family in town.
One of my biggest concerns when I was pregnant with my second and third
child was what I would do with the other kid(s) when it was time to go
to the hospital. A new mom might also appreciate someone taking older
kids for a few hours once she and baby have returned home.
I also know how grateful I was when
a friend came to my house at 5:00 am so I could be at the hospital for a
6:00 am surgery. She woke the children and got them dressed and ready
for school so that my husband could accompany me to the hospital. What
to do with the children is always a stressful thing to consider when a
family member is in the hospital, and anything that can be done to help
out in that area is always greatly appreciated.
Hospital Care Kit:
Depending on the situation, you could put together a small care package
to send along to the hospital. Consider including things like books
and magazines, lotion, Chapstick, snacks, warm socks, change for vending
machines, and for expectant mothers, a scrunchie to hold their hair
back during labor. If children will be frequent visitors to the
hospital, you might even include a few art supplies or small toys.
Freezer Meals:
Like I said, meals are always appreciated. However, people often
receive more food in the week or two after a hospital stay than they can
possibly eat. For this reason, I like to take in a freezer meal
whenever possible. Meals that freeze well include soups, Mexican dishes
like enchiladas, pasta dishes like lasagna, and most casseroles.
I always splurge on disposable pans and Glad-ware when I take in a meal.
I don't want the people I'm trying to help to have to worry about
returning any dishes to me. It's the last thing someone wants to think
about during or after a hospital stay. If you're taking in a warm meal
and don't want to use disposable dishes, ask if you can transfer the
food to the recipient's dishes right then. You can take your dishes
home and they won't have to worry about returning them later.
Often, the most overwhelming time for a new mom or someone who has been
in the hospital comes few weeks later, when everyone has stopped
pampering them and the offers of help have died down. A freezer meal
will be very much appreciate then!
Gift Cards: Consider a gift card to any a local
restaurant that delivers. Pizza is the obvious choice, but depending on
the family, you could do Chinese or sandwiches. This is a great option
for providing meal if you are busy too and don't have time to cook for
your family and someone elses. And much like a freezer meal, it can be
saved for a time when other offers of help have slowed down.
Mixes & Staples: My friend Kristen recently told
me that when she brings a meal, she also likes to include some homemade
pancake mix, along with instructions and a few staples, like eggs and
milk.
There are tons of recipes for mixes in a jar out there. Many of them
would be fun to include with a meal, and would be great on their own as
well. It might even relieve a little stress for the family members at
home to be able to whip up a batch of cookies together, using a mix and
other ingredients that you've provided. People appreciate knowing that
you're thinking of them. You don't have to do something elaborate or
time consuming to let someone know they're in your thoughts and prayers.
Don't be afraid to get creative and ask what's really needed! Sometimes
the answer will be meals, but there are often other things that people
are in need of when they or another family member are in the hospital.
And don't forget that the time after arriving home from a hospital stay
can be a difficult transition with different needs. One thing is
certain, your help will be welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks Danelle, this is one great article--all of the article including the photo's are courtesy of
Danelle.
I think in the coming weeks I might post some more basket ideas or meals in a jar recipes etc.
How do you show love to those in need? Please answer in the comments section and I will compile a list for a future blog post. thanks, cindy
