Do you have a grab bag?

Friday, 9.30 pm. A ring on my doorbell, a 999 call and a resident from the retirement community that I managed was soon to be on the way to hospital following a particularly nasty fall.

As I stood on the corridor with my resident's husband, waiting whilst the paramedics did their job, my practical side kicked in and I started to think about the things he would need to take with him to get them both through what could be a long night in an A&E department.

Coat, door key to get back into his apartment, change for the coffee machine, details of any medication his wife was taking (and the dosage)... I gently started to question the husband about the whereabouts of some of these items and, because he, understandably, was shocked by the events of the evening, he, like so many other people in the same situation, didn't have the foggiest...

Which brings me to the subject of a grab bag: a bag containing the stuff that you could possibly need if you or your significant other (if you have one) were to be taken to the hospital at short notice. Put together, in advance, in case you ever need it.

What would you need/want to have in such a bag? 

Think about it now, BEFORE you need it and assemble it at your earliest convenience.

Nightdress or PJ's. Dressing gown or cardigan. Slippers. Phone and phone charger. Toiletries. Next of kin details... Get this stuff together now.  It's not tempting fate, it's just sensible and practical. I hope you never need it but, from experience, it makes things a lot easier if/when you do.

If you can think of anything else that deserves a place in a grab bag, please let me know in the comments section below...