Re What essentials to take to an elderly patient in Hospital

Perhaps a bottle of squash - newspaper - magazine - couple of books.
All that assuming that he already has his toiletries - otherwise take those.

Small notes/change so he can buy a paper etc

Shower gel? Definitely money to use. Ear plugs to help him sleep?

Postage stamps?
Some cash so he can buy things in the shop (or off the trolley if they still have one )
Puzzle book
Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel and deodorant

I don’t think flowers are allowed on wards now, are they? I’ve just learned my sister is in hospital after another mild stroke, I too was wondering what to take (although her DDs will have taken essentials).

Some small drinks in cartons?
Box of tissues? Some biscuits?
Perhaps get there and review what he needs then whizz off to the hospital shop?

If he wears a hearing aid or has false teeth , take a container/ small purse in marked with his name so that he doesn't put them in a tissue and they get thrown away by someone clearing his table. It happened to my DH's aunt they had to pay for a new set of each.
Some

It depends on whether he already has the essentials. I recently visited a relative in hospital who had been admitted via A&E. I bought essential toiletries - soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, disposable razor and shaving foam. The hospital had provided toothbrush/paste and soap. He is not a pyjama wearer and I bought socks, pants, t-shirts and jogging bottoms. He was wearing a hospital gown.
Whilst there I bought snacks, drinks and a newspaper.

I am assuming he has phone, charger, i-pad, kindle etc to use for reading. Notebook and pen for lists.
Small bag to keep essentials such as glasses, tissues, pens, phone etc actually on the bed to save him having to constantly reach in the bedside cupboard.
Supply of bottled water; hospital water is always stale, served in nasty plastic jugs.

62Granny

If he wears a hearing aid or has false teeth , take a container/ small purse in marked with his name so that he doesn't put them in a tissue and they get thrown away by someone clearing his table. It happened to my DH's aunt they had to pay for a new set of each.
Some

Good advice but better advice is to take the dentures home!

I’ve just come out of hospital. Don’t take food, unless you’re very sure the hospital doesn’t have any dietary restrictions or guidelines in place. If it’s OK, stick to something like plain digestive biscuits. Chocolate isn’t easy to eat if you’re thirsty and soon starts to melt and gets messy in a centrally heated ward. Light reading, like Take a Break magazine, might be more welcome than a book.

Cards and stamps ?

iPad if he’s got one. Phone charger if he’s got a phone.
Glasses if he needs them
Doubt he’ll be allowed to listen to the radio unless he’s in a room on his own or if he has earphones. Depending on how hot or cold the hospital is a fan or warm blanket .

Staff like patients to get up and dressed nowadays. Sitting about in pj’s and dressing gown isnt’t encouraged. So some light clothes to wear during the day. Tissues as someone else suggested.

May I suggest an emery board and possibly some nail cutters? Some years ago MIL was in hospital and moaned about her toe nails. I made some excuses as I am not much good at cutting toe nails and I knew she was on a blood thinning drug. I had taken some emery bords and nail cutters for her and a few days later my sisinlaw went in to do the deed. She cut MILs skin so a nurse had to sort out the bleeding and MIL moaned like hell. However she paid sisinlaw £10 for doing the deed.

eazybee

I am assuming he has phone, charger, i-pad, kindle etc to use for reading. Notebook and pen for lists.
Small bag to keep essentials such as glasses, tissues, pens, phone etc actually on the bed to save him having to constantly reach in the bedside cupboard.
Supply of bottled water; hospital water is always stale, served in nasty plastic jugs.

Sorry but you can’t assume that someone has an ipad or Kindle . But Thanks anyway

Baby wipes. Phone charger and powerbank. Cosy machine washable blanket to line plastic chair

When DH was in hospital he asked for orange squash, Diet Coke ( the ward gave permission) , power bank charger for his mobile, headphones.
He wasn’t well enough to get dressed or to read more than a short article. Clean PJs every day.
I brought his watch and wallet home for safekeeping.

Thank you for all the responses here .
I think we covered all bases & did not add to the somewhat huge collection of chocolate 🍫 & biscuits. We took hotcross buns , easy peel satsumas & a bottle of squash .
Plus Note book pens & newspaper .
Pjs , slippers , socks towels , flannels .
No bedside lockers.
Easy to use pay as you go Mobile 📱 phone
& battery Radio plus earphones will be taken today .
As I only thought of those when we arrived so have arranged for someone else to take today 👌

A good list ,but sometimes home clothes get thrown away if soiled .
My father's new and expensive dressing gown was thrown out because he peed on it .
Definitely take an emery board and or clippers .
The hospital refused to store perishables in the ward fridge so I would take biscuits,chocolate and cake and put them on his table.
Flowers aren't usually allowed .

If confined to bed or not very mobile, facial wipes are really handy to freshen up in the very hot hospitals.

My aunt loved me to take her some rose scented ones as they made her feel so much cleaner.

Headphones for the radio

He may also like a hand held mirror and shaving gear.

I would take a soft warm light blanket or throw...my husband brought me a cashmere one when I was in hospital and it was so cosy on a chilly night and it also reminded me of home ...I treasured it .All good suggestions above ..