A- Tisket, A- Tasket any Ideas for our basket????

[luv2rsq]

The nursing staff at our facility has decided to put a basket together to give to families of patients who are actively dying. The basket would included a folder with information about the dying process and what they can expect. We thought that it would be a good idea to include some mints, lotion, a pad of paper and a pen (so that they can write down questions that they may have). Just thought that I would solicit the group for any ideas! Thanks :)

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Tissues.

Pertinent phone numbers (ie: pastoral care)

Certificate for a free meal in the hospital cafeteria.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

talk to your case manager/Social Worker. They may have insight too

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Maybe even a form printed out for them to write down phone numbers that they may not think of / have available "when the time comes" and they need to make phone calls.

Leave spaces for various family members, obviously, but also:

-- funeral home (do they have one picked out? do they need a list of options in your area?)

-- neighbors / family friends

-- clergy (their church or hospital pastor)

-- pet sitter/boarding (or other arrangements, if necessary)

Also, a local funeral home should have helpful information regarding legalities that need to be attended to, like how many official copies of the death certificate to request (need one for Social Security, one for life insurance, one for banking, etc.). Maybe having things like that to think of / plan for in advance can give them some distraction and peace of mind.

[Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN]

If I were grieving, I would appreciate M&Ms. I love the free meal idea.

[bill4745, RN]

A small pack of tissues?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

If this basket is to be given because you are finding the family staying at the bedside, maybe sleeping in the room, you might want to include some nice toiletries. Not just the hospital-issue sandpaper tissues, bland toothpaste and such, but a nice soap, deodorant, things to use to "freshen up" without having to use the patient supplies or hospital supplies.

Also, in keeping with the "staying in the room" thing, some small bags of nutritious snacks, like nuts, trail mix, things that give energy without being all sugar.