Earlier this week DH had to be admitted to the hospital in an emergency, and the paramedics asked if he had a "Grab bag".
I had no idea what they meant. They then explained and when I mentioned it to DD she had heard of it and added a few things of her own.
It's a small zipper hold hall or shopping bag that will go in a bedside locker.
In it, you need to keep an up-to-date supply of your toiletries, toothbrush and shampoo, and razor for men in a small toiletry bag. Spare night ware, slippers, underwear, a towel a clean shirt or t-shirt and most importantly a list of your current medications.
The bag needs to be handy to find the bottom of a wardrobe was suggested.
You also need to tell your next of kin where the bags are kept.
My DD does not live near me and also suggested I gave her the telephone number of our next-door neighbour who holds a key. She could then direct them to where the bags are.
It took two frantic hours yesterday getting DH's bag ready. while we waited for an ambulance. The bag was on top of a wardrobe I could not reach, his toilet bag was tucked away in a cupboard and he thought he might need new razor blades. Luckily he is only on one medication so I sent it with him.
It was also suggested you keep current medications in a small zipped pouch in which you write down the whereabouts on the medication list. Don't use a bag you take on holiday or your usual toiletry bag.
Believe me, it sounds alarmist but I am certainly going to set one up for each of us. Looking after his medical needs whilst listening to what he needed and where they were I did not think I had been married for over 40 years.
