This post is a quick win. It’s the first thing I tried once I decided to go all in on the lead by example with a full transparency approach.
It’s small but powerful, and it’s something that has tremendous impact whenever it is needed.
So most everyone, at some point in their life, needs to go to the hospital for an emergency, either for themselves or to assist someone else. If you have aging parents and children, you might be going more and more as you and they get older.
This is a topic that is important to absolutely everyone, but most people don’t plan ahead for: preparing for an unplanned medical emergency that requires a trip to the hospital, like an injury or sudden severe illness.
My parents are at an age where this happens more frequently, and I am getting to that age faster than I would like, and my kids are at an age where they are more likely to have this happen from being reckless, or not taking care of themselves, and not having enough life experience of managing it on their own to make the best decisions the first time around.
What I found was most helpful when this happens, no matter who needs emergency medical assistance, is to always have a hospital bag packed and ready to go – similar to back when you were expecting a child to be born at any time.
Having a bag with a change of clothes, a hoodie or cardigan, a shelf stable snack and a water bottle, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a comb makes a big difference if you get stuck in the hospital for longer than expected – whether you are the patient or the person providing support.
Having a full set of printed medical records and insurance information is also super helpful, especially if you wind up in a hospital that does not have electronic access to your medical records.
Having that packed in a distinctive bag in the trunk of your car, or an easy to find place in your home near the front door, makes it easy for you to grab it on your way there, or be able to tell someone else how to get it for you.
Having a system like this in place where you, your children and your parents have a hospital bag always ready to go allows you to:
- Expedite getting medical info in the system for get admitted and receive care more quickly
- Lets you change clothes if you got dirty in an accident, or have a clean set of clothes to go home in.
- Have a sweater or hoodie if it is cold
- A snack and water if the wait is long.
- Have a change of clothes and are able to brush your teeth if you need to stay with someone overnight.
Having a hospital bag ready to go just makes something that is often a really stressful and scary time much, much easier.
Whether you are the patient or the support person, you are ready to stay for the long wait to get admitted or staying overnight.
| This is what I recommend you put in your hospital bag: |
| A printed copy of your medical records, you insurance info, and medical POA change of clothes, including socks and underwear a hoodie or cardigan, a shelf stable snack, a water bottle, a toothbrush and toothpaste a comb or hair brush A battery pack and charging cable for your phone Any comfort meds in you use regularly, like over the counter pain meds or antacids And maybe a book to pass the time if there is no connectivity |
Part of making this work best for you is to get the right kind of bag. You need a dedicated bag for this purpose, and one that makes it easier to carry, use, and track during this stressful time.
| I recommend a bag that: |
| Is a distinctive color so it is easy to find and not mistaken for someone else’s Has a zipper closure so things won’t fall out Can be worn over the shoulder or as a backpack to free your hands when gathering everything to go home Has a luggage tag with your name and phone number on it so it can get back to you if lost or misplaced |
Your Hospital Bag Action Plan
Find a suitable hospital bag that meets these recommendations.
Fill it with the recommended items in the list above.
When your bag is ready to go, you should either put it near the front door in an easy to find place, or if you drive a lot, in the trunk of your car.
Take a picture of the bag, where you are storing it, and have it ready in your phone to be able to send it to someone so they can more easily find it and get it to you.
When you finish doing this, make sure you send that picture of the bag to your parents and your kids.
Tell them that if you ever wind up in the hospital unexpectedly, and you don’t have that bag, they can help get it to you.
Tell them what is in there, in case you need them to get something (or help someone else get something for you) out of that bag if you are unable to do that for yourself.
Then tell them you also will use that bag if you ever have to stay at the hospital with them or anyone else, so you have a change of clothes and in case your medical info is relevant.
If they say that’s a good idea, tell them you would be happy to help them set one up.
If you think they like the idea but are not likely to follow through because it’s too low down on their to-do list, offer to help them make one.
Here’s why you need to do this NOW:
YOU may be the first one to need a hospital bag ready to go, especially if you are the go-to person to support your children and parents.
And it will really help YOU if they had one too, and will still help even if you are not their first responder support. You know they will have a better experience if they are ready, and it is much easier for others to support them when they are.
Now I want to hear from you:
Do you have a hospital bag? What would you put in one?
Are there other things you do that help in the event of a medical emergency?
The Generational Navigator 