Pack a bag with clothing and hygiene items. Go to your parent's home and pack a bag of their essential items for their hygiene and sleep routines.  This may include pajamas, a bathrobe, a hairbrush, a toothbrush, and a cozy blanket. The hospital will provide many of these things, but they won't be the same as items from home.  You can even bring in their bed sheets. The sheets in the hospital are cleaned frequently, making them a bit rough to sleep on.  If you've been a patient in the hospital, you might remember the scratchy sheets provided.  

Pack a portable music or video player with headphones. Your parent's hospital room will have a TV, but they may have to share it with a roommate, or the channel selection may be limited.  To make a more personalized experience, bring in some of your mom or dad's favorite music or audiobooks. These all help block out multiple noises in the hospital (dinging bells, ringing phones, loud roommates, visitors) and can provide comfort and peace even if your hospitalized parent is in a private room.  

Magazines, newspapers, and books are also suitable for recovering patients. Perhaps your mom has a new book she was reading left at home or an unread letter waiting to be opened.  These are wonderful distractions!  If your loved one uses a computer or tablet, you can also bring those in; this way, they can be connected to the outside world via the internet.  Ask the nurse or someone at the check-in desk for the WiFi password.  Just make sure to determine that things are secure if you leave them at the hospital with your parent overnight.  

Bring one or two photos of your family to rest on your parent's bedside table. This is to comfort your hospitalized parent, but it also serves a key purpose:  it humanizes your mom or dad to the staff and fosters a connection with the people caring for them.  If pictures are at the bedside, the staff may engage with your parent, asking questions about their life, making the experience more palatable.  You want each medical staff member to see your parent as a human being with family, friends, a job, and life, not just as the shoulder surgery in room 209.  

Bring antibacterial gel to be placed at the patient's bedside. Doctors and nurses are required to utilize hand sanitizer or wash their hands prior to entering your parents' room. Nevertheless, ask everyone to use it before touching your parents. If you are primarily concerned, you can also create a sign on the wall above the patient's bed, asking everyone to wash their hands before touching the patient.   

Buy a few thank you cards. Bring thank you cards for your parents to address to their primary nurses. Expressing appreciation is always welcomed by the nursing and medical staff. This goes a long way with nurses caring for many sick patients and working 12-hour shifts. Don't forget about the nursing aides! These hard workers do much of the heavy lifting in the hospital, so showing appreciation for them as well is essential.    

Bring in your parent's favorite meal. Ask the primary nurse if bringing in a favorite dish is OK.  You must first ensure that your parent is not on a restricted diet before you offer food from home.  The nurses can help you understand if restrictions exist and why. If it is possible, bring it in! You'd be amazed at how much a good meal can help them feel better in a less-than-appetizing environment.  And sharing with a roommate (again, after getting the OK from the nursing staff) can lead to a pleasant interaction.  

Be communicative with the staff.  If you are your parent's health care proxy or HCP, communicate that information and paperwork to the staff.  If you haven't yet determined who the elected person will be for your parent, this hospitalization may be a good time to discuss.  If you are the HCP, you can help your parent make medical decisions, and the staff can discuss their care with you.  Otherwise, your parent will need to communicate with the staff that it is OK for you to be updated on their care plan.