Stung Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I have a long-time acquaintance who is in a rehab facility recovering from a stroke. She's only in her thirties. She's trying to keep her spirits high and motivated, speech and thinking are good but she has lost a lot of mobility on her right side. The last I heard she was just learning to bend her right arm at the elbow again. She's too far away for me to visit so I want to send a care package. Any thoughts on what to include in it? I don't want to insensitively include something she can't use due to limited mobility, or that will make her feel like too much of a convalescent. What I know of her interests, most are either arts or crafting oriented, and require the use of both hands. Link to post Share on other sites
cerridwen Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I'll add more as I think of them but just off the top of my head, I'd throw in books on CD, a soft bed jacket or bed wrap in cashmere (or the like), warm luxurious bed socks, soothing scented lotions, a small piece of art representing friendship and/or healing, all placed in a beautiful soft-sided bag she can take everything with her upon discharge. Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 My mom was in-patient for a month after her stroke and I found they kept the facility like a refrigerator. Bed socks (the plush kind with the little grippers on the bottom) and a hypoallergenic throw/cover seemed to help. The throw, wadded up, served as an extra pillow. IMO, just one or two items, along with a personal note and maybe a past picture of the two of you together would be my suggestion. IME, people just like to know they're not alone. In-patient can be really lonely. My mom was in rehab and the hospital for nearly 45 days. I put a few pictures up on the bulletin board by her bed where they posted her OT and PT schedules. Best wishes for her speedy recovery Link to post Share on other sites
IfWishesWereHorses Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Love the idea of a beautiful comfy throw, good lotion, and something that smells nice. I'm sure candles are restricted but maybe some plug in warmer. Those places smell strongly of cleaning chemicals (at best). A good chapstick or lip balm would be nice and maybe a funny book and a small box of her favorite candy/treat. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Stung Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 Ok, you all gave me some great ideas. Thanks. I sent her some shea butter lotion, some sort of soft slipper booties things that can be additionally warmed up in a microwave, some gourmet rooibos and green teas. Unfortunately I didn't have any pics of us together. I thought about getting her some books relating to her crafting hobbies but I thought that might ultimately be depressing, if she can't pursue them right now. I was hesitant about getting her any audiobooks because I honestly have no idea what she reads. It's not a subject we've ever discussed, that I can recall. We've been corresponding a bit, she emails people typing with her left hand. She's been an inpatient in rehab for almost a month already (I did not find out what happened until recently, I'm not one of her inner circle whom her family would know to notify, which made me think a little bit about the nature of such notifications) and she's going to be allowed to go home next week. Obviously she will still be spending a lot of time on her rehab but at least she'll be going to her own bed at night, with her own family. Link to post Share on other sites
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