Any tips for what to bring for a short hospital stay?

A small blanket or shawl to go around her shoulders or to use as and extra blanket in case it is cold.
A neck pillow - those hospital pillows are not the nicest.
They'll probably want her up walking before she leaves, so some nice slippers with grippy soles.

It sounds like you are very prepared to me. I hope things go well. It can be a real experience staying with a LO who has dementia in the hospital. You probably already know. No matter how much you tell staff and doctors, most don't really get it. They don't realize that telling a person with dementia to not pull out IV or touch this or that means little. Or, that she may try to get out of bed unassisted. I know you won't get much rest. I'd arrange for someone to come sit with her after you get home, so you can take a nap then. Best wishes on the procedure. I hope it helps her.

Do you really think she needs a pacemaker? Maybe this is the time to start to let her go.

Wow. You are prepared. When I take someone to the hospital, I just take them. I don't even take ID. All that stuff is in the computer. Their insurance information, contact lists, labs, POA, ADR, etc, etc. That's what a computer is for. They just take a palm print to ID them.

My hospital specifically ask that we don't have anything of value in the room. So I even take that stuff home if they have it on them. Underwear, toothbrushes, etc, etc they have all that stuff at the hospital.

Here's a frugal person's tip. Much of the stuff in her room will be thrown away once she leaves. The boxes of gloves, the extra underwear, the stack of super absorbent pads, the brushes, the socks, the hovermatt. Ask if you can have it. Afterall, you "paid" for it. It's charged to your insurance. Why not take it to use at home instead of filling up a landfill? Once a nurse asked if we wanted to take all this stuff saying it would be thrown away anyways. I said yes. Now I ask every time, if they are just going to throw it away, if we can have it. Every time they say yes. Most times the nurse will even bring big bags and help us bag it all up.

Thanks to everyone for all of your helpful comments. One of the best suggestions for me was to download movies to watch. With my iPad and ear buds I comfortably watched 2 movies through a very long night. As for mom, bringing my binder with her records was critical (they wanted proof of her flu and pneumonia vaccines among other things) and her meds from home. Staff asked me specifically for 3 of her meds. I gave them the prescription bottles, they administered the meds and logged it in the chart. And fwiw, the staff was fantastic. Every person from housekeeping to management was kind, compassionate and provided immediate service. And said “thank you” after providing each service. I was astounded. So mom is home and doing well. Has to be reminded constantly to leave the incision site alone (no stitches, just glue!) but she looks and feels much better. So gang, thanks again for all the support.

My husband loved to look through his photo albums - they relaxed him.

bring meds in one zip lock bag/ Makeup in another, hair brush, diapers , wipes, water. bottled water for her and you. snacks.. what ever you both like to chomp on. kleenix, pillow for you, blanket for you...When you get ther, get several for MOm. usually in a blanket warmer..hospitals are cold. get so ease reading material, like READERS DIGEST... May a cooking magazine... Something light and fun to read.

gum.....water, baanana, fresh frfuit. whatever yoy thing you two might enhoy

GN

This may not be particularly relevant here (for a short stay), but a couple decades ago I came across a book having the title "Take This Book To The Hospital With You" which dealt with negotiating the process such as formalities, red tape, billing, etc. along with some suggestions related more directly to the immediate comfort of the patient. It's still available although some aspects may be a bit outdated (Amazon shows it as dated 1997). Maybe others on this forum can comment, as my copy is still buried in a box somewhere from my last move. In any case, other readers might find this useful, considering that caring for elders usually means dealing with more visits to the hospital than generally needed for younger people.

Yes. You. Be with her the entire time night and day. Hospital falls are very common and elderly get disoriented in strange surroundings. Not to mention sedation issues. If you leave her alone by herself that's asking for trouble and hospital staff cannot be there around the clock. Alternatively you can hire a sitter. It's like $20 an hour.

in my ``hospital bag`` I also have :
- desinfecting wipes
- paper and pen , to note who comes and says and does what or leave messages
- snacks, water
- hand cream
- lip balm
- warm socks
- note sign : Will be back in ___ min , with my name and cell phone ( in case someones comes while I am out)
- alarm clock to tell time ( if she cares)
For me :
- comfortable light shoes (standing up for long time next to bed and wearing them while trying to sleep at night )
- eye mask ( help snooze under strong lights sometimes even on at night)
- personal items to freshen up ( panties, socks, tooth brush, face towellettes , moisturiser).. game changer after a sleepless night

Best of luck ,
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