The exercise instructor at our senior center recently had an aneurysm, and has been in a rehab center for two weeks. I have been taking her classes 3 times a week for about a year and a half, have benefited greatly from her routines.
She is in her mid 60’s, in good physical health, so hope for speedy recovery.
I plan to visit her and not sure what will be a good gift to bring. Not thinking of flowers, apparently she got tons in her room already! Maybe a snack basket? Or put together a package with a few athletic items? Or simply a gift card? If so, from where?
Problem is I don’t know her that well personally, her likes and dislikes. Someone at the senior center already suggested some sort of a fund raising for her since she won’t have any income for a while, participants will chip in money. I will do that too. But I want to do something on my own to appreciate her as her classes help me a lot.
Gift card for local grocery store or a place that delivered vets takeout might be greatly appreciated, along with heartfelt card about his her exercises helped you. Snack basket is a nice idea, but as you don’t know her personal tastes may be riskier and not as useful. It’s nice her to exercises were helpful and I’m sure she’d love a card letting her know that very much.
@deb922, you are spot on, I am the kind who feels very uncomfortable to visit (I am weird that way), but I really want to make an exception and go visit her because I do care about her. If I can get over the awkwardness (on my end) the first time, then I can visit her more often over her stay (I don’t know how long she will be there)
One thing I know for sure is she LOVES french fries, she has said it a few times during class, but I CAN’T bring her french fries, they will be so wilted when I get there! I do remember she once mentioned how much she loves the french fries from this one restaurant, maybe I can get her a gift card so she can enjoy all the french fries she wants when she is well. What do you guys think?
And I know she is on gluten free diet, maybe I can bring along some gluten free snacks too when I visit.
I would give her the gift card to the place with the fries and a card that you want to take her there. And then call and invite her once she gets home!
I second the “no gift” idea. Hospital rooms are tiny, cluttered, and uncomfortable, and everything people bring to you has to go home with you, which is a pain. Bring a newspaper if you must have something. I think a gift card is a little odd, now she has to keep track of it in the hospital. Honestly, coming to see her is the gift. (We have spent so much time in hospitals …)
I don’t know about magazines and newspapers. It sounds so nice but if this person has had an aneurysm, you just don’t know if they can concentrate on reading right now.
The sentiment is nice, brain injuries are really hard as far as congnitive abilities. You just never know.
Not to be mean, but in my experience with someone in a similar situation. What they need is human contact. You’d be surprised, I certainly was. People visit for awhile but these sort of things are long term rehabilitation, even after they have gone home. It can be very isolating.
Easy on, comfortable clothing such as sweat pants and a zippered sweatshirt. I second the gripper socks. Sweats don’t limit their movement during therapy and make it easy for them to dress themselves. Put her name inside each item with permanent marker since things have a tendency to walk off. You can check walmart online for reasonable Hanes sweats and gripper socks.
Don’t worry about the gripper socks. Most health care institutions pass them out for free to reduce fall risk. Gluten free snacks sounds like a nice idea, as food gets monotonous in such places and gluten free choices are limited. I like your idea of a restaurant gift card as well, as it shows knowlege of her preferences. Don’t be surprised if she is quite busy with therapy Monday through Friday. Good for you getting out of your comfort zone to visit!
I agree that keeping the cost of the gift modest (under $50) is a good idea, due to the relatively short time you’ve known one another. I’m sure she’d appreciate a visit and heartfelt card and a little something—gluten-free snacks plus small gift card.
@“great lakes mom”, I will call the rehab center to find out best time to visit, couple of people had already visited, told me would be better to go after 4pm since a lot of rehab exercises she does is during the day. The senior center director visited last Thursday, told us she (our instructor) started to have some feelings in her left hand/fingers and left leg, so it is a good sign.
I don’t want to act awkward when I am there, and not knowing what to say or do. I know it may sound stupid to you guys. I am normally a bubbly person, and I don’t understand why I am so uncomfortable with visiting at those places.
Amazon gift card is a good idea too, since I was told she uses her computer there.
HOpeful, you are not unusual. It’s a new experience for you.
I’ve worked in hospitals for years, and continue to do consultations. I visit my patients when they go to a rehab. But for the patient or a visitor, they don’t know what to expect. Most people don’t like the feeling of being dependent on others. It’s so important to have someone to,listen and offer reassurance.
I spent two weeks in a rehab facility after my heart attack and coma. A couple folks sent me flowers, but the BEST part was that DH and the guys arranged to bring my dog to visit me. She and I howled when we got to see each other! If your friend has a pet, maybe you can arrange to bring it? The facility I was at only required that the dog be current on vaccinations.
I also enjoyed visitors who came to let me know what was going on in the real world. I was on a lot of dizziness-inducing medications, so while I love to read and surf the web, I was not able to do that for long without feeling queasy.
PT and OT happen during the daytime. I had a couple sessions a day, and was wiped out afterwards. After being bedbound, even if only for ten days, it took a while to regroup and regain stamina and strength.
I do remember she once mentioned how much she loves the french fries from this one restaurant, maybe I can get her a gift card so she can enjoy all the french fries she wants when she is well. What do you guys think?