Whether you get the phone call that a family member is headed to the hospital emergency room (ER) or awaken to discover an urgent situation, it can be overwhelming to think about all the immediate tasks, including what to pack for the ER. Clearly, the patient is the number one priority over grabbing a phone charger, but if you have time to pack a bag, here’s a list of 10 necessities to pack for the ER and a few niceties too.

Necessities to Grab on the Way to the ER – If You Have Time

• Phone charger
• Hearing aid charger or extra batteries
• Phone
• Hearing aids, eyeglasses
• ID and insurance cards
• List of medications and allergies
• Emergency contact numbers
• Book or tablet
• Comfort items for kids or adults
• Puzzle books or coloring books

If Overnight, Add:

• Extra underwear or change of clothes
• Bathroom bag with toothbrush, hairbrush, chapstick, etc.
• Bathrobe and slippers
• If possible, leave jewelry and valuables at home or with family

POV: Your quiet morning has taken an unexpected turn. As a caregiver, you grab some clothes from your closet and wonder whether you will be warm and comfortable enough to sit in the ER all day long if necessary. You trade the summer flip-flops for tennis shoes. You mentally run through the “what to toss in the bag” list for yourself and your loved one while processing whether to call 911 or just drive to the ER yourself, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the situation and trying to remember where you set down your cup of coffee earlier.

Twice recently I have ended up in the ER with my mom who lives with me. Once we were out and about so did not have time to get anything ready. The second time we were at home getting ready for a visit from the grandkids and could pack a bag for both of us. Thankfully I have memorized my “what to pack for the ER” list.

Necessities for the Caregiver:

• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Tea bags and instant coffee
• Laptop and charger cords
• Earbuds or earplugs
• Phone and charger cords
• Neck pillow and blanket
• Money for food
• Sweater or sweatshirt
• Socks and tennis shoes

If Overnight, Add:

• Bathroom bag if overnight
• Extra change of clothes if overnight

Not every situation allows you to grab items from home before you visit the ER. We have had times when we didn’t have a phone charger, and a nurse loaned us one. The hearing aid charger was the biggest thing we wished we had when we unexpectedly ended up in the ER. My mom’s rechargeable hearing aid batteries were dead by morning, so she couldn’t hear the doctor speaking, limiting her independence.

There were quiet times when I could have gotten business work done if I had my laptop with me or earbuds to take a call. Usually, if you are in an ER or hospital room, there are extra blankets and pillows available, but not in the waiting rooms. The patient can get a toothbrush if needed, but having a few items from home is nice. If the patient is a child, familiar comfort items can be helpful in a new situation.

Some families have a go-bag for just this reason, but some just have a list of items to grab to put in a go-bag if needed. Use the list above to create your own list of what to pack for the ER, and put it in a place where a family member or friend can grab the items you need for an unexpected ER visit. Knowing what to take to the ER can make an unexpected trip a bit more manageable and comfortable for everyone involved. 

No matter what stage of life you are at, having a list of what to pack for the ER is helpful. I remember getting a phone call from my college-aged daughter that started with, “I’m fine, but I’m taking a friend to the ER. Can you remind me what I should grab from our dorm room before we leave?” She knew I would list off the items she should pack for the patient and the caregiver. 

Bonus Tip: if you have a longer stay at the hospital or especially kind staff, consider a thank-you gift when you leave. Good suggestions are a gift bag filled with individual snacks or treats for the staff to share or filling out the staff comment cards with compliments. Search Pinterest for more ideas.

Want packing tips for travel? Read https://www.tailorjoy.com/20-international-travel-necessities/ and https://www.tailorjoy.com/before-during-and-after-travel-tips/

Table Talk: What other item would you pack for an ER visit? What tips would you give to a caregiver for a longer hospital stay?