What’s on Your Comfort Cart?

March 26th, 2010 · 12 Comments

Hospitals aren’t the best place to relax and enjoy life, right?

A program called The Comfort Cart can make your stay better. First introduced at Quincy Medical Center outside of Boston by their Pain Management Task Force, a comfort cart has items which can bring “comfort and inspiration” to patients.

What’s on the cart?

music and nature CD’s
relaxation and guided imagery tapes
soft blankets
crossword puzzles
lavender-scented eye packs
prayer shawls and beads
books
candles
soothing lotions
notebooks for journaling
hope stones

In addition to enjoying the items, patients report that just having a visit from the volunteer who brings the cart helps them feel more relaxed and in better spirits. Nurses feel it’s “less about the stuff on the cart, and more about the need for a human connection. The power of a visit and simple gesture can go a long way in comforting patients and brightening their spirits.”

I thought this idea was great! We should all have our own comfort goodies. What’s on your “comfort cart”?

The original article appeared in the American Pain Foundation newsletter. Thanks to I Can Has Cheezburger for the puppy photo.

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12 responses so far ↓

Sherrie Sisk // Mar 26, 2010 at 8:21 am

Oh my goodness – that puppy pic is way too cute for words.

This is a great idea – so much of fibromyalgia and other chronic pain coping is about the little things that can up the comfort quotient. I recommend making a list of those things – which could be different for all of us — so that we can just implement them when we need them, without having to struggle to identify those things in the heat of the moment.
EstherGrace // Mar 26, 2010 at 5:56 pm

This is such a good idea. I have lists of types of activities. Why not have a box in my closet with all sorts of little comforting sorts of things in it? This is a good list. I’m going to start collecting some things in one central place. My problem is that they’re all over the house and not organized – for days like today.
Kathy // Mar 27, 2010 at 2:47 am

CHOCOLATE
Con // Mar 27, 2010 at 6:33 am

Not so much for me but I know several adults who would want a cudly toy. My favourite comfort item is food and I know it’s not that good when I’m not able to move a lot.
It doesn’t have to be chocolate but my favourite diner would be as good.
JM // Mar 27, 2010 at 2:21 pm

Well looking at the list in the blog for suggestions, I would eliminate anything scented, so no lavender eyepacks for this migraine sufferer! Perhaps a chilled eyepack, yes, but nothing, nothing scented. A great post, and excellent suggestion to list items in advance, and/or keep these things boxed and easy to find in a crisis.
Con // Mar 28, 2010 at 5:12 am

Well I forgot to mention my own pillow as a comfort item. I like a large firm pillow and almost nowhere such a pillow is available. And a small pillow to place between my legs so my knees won’t touch in the night.
Being without one of these will add to the discomfort of being not at home.
Nickie // Mar 31, 2010 at 7:22 am

For me, the lavender is great, I’d also add my iPod packed with tons of music I love and all my apps which remind me of my coping skills, my beading materials to help me distract myself, maybe some nice lotion, a heat pack, a soft blanket and a cuddly stuffed animal. I also find that dark chocolate, in moderation helps me when I’m triggered in some way. Oh, and Julio doesn’t go on the cart, but he’s crucial for my comfort and emotional and physical safety!
How to Cope with Pain // Mar 31, 2010 at 9:52 am

We’ll put a big, cushy doggy bed right beside the cart!
michele // Apr 15, 2010 at 11:38 pm

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing, wish all hosp did that…. I would add, asking for a list of a few people I could go visit who didn’t get visitors. (I don’t know if that’s possible w/ new HPPA laws. ) There are so many ill people who have no one to come see them.
Annie // May 6, 2010 at 9:23 am

Mmmmm this list makes me feel so warm and fuzzy.

Love it!

I have all of the above on my list. Plus tea. Always need tea.
Dana Marton // May 6, 2010 at 10:55 pm

My furkids are on my list for sure. I’d have to say that my special blankie and pillow are as well. I also have a special pair of PJ’s and slipper socks.

I think I revert back to my childhood comforts.

LOL!

Blessings,
~Dana~
Judith Westerfield // May 7, 2010 at 2:02 pm

Comfort Cart is a great idea — not just for hospitals but for everyday. Thanks for the wonderful post.
Judy Westerfield