The Core of Caring
12 Baskets Full
A Care Basket
Living in the midst of a worldwide pandemic means that we have been confronted with sickness and death on an unprecedented scale. We have either had covid19, know someone who had it, or worse, have lost someone close to us due to complications associated with covid19.
While in the grip of this pandemic, we still undergo operations, deal with all kinds of heart diseases, get treatment for malaria and cancer, see children suffer from genetic disorders, and fight common colds. Therefore, our aim with this month’s basket is to calm, care for and comfort a family or a friend on their journey to wellness.
As a care basket powerfully communicates friendship, love, and support, I want to emphasize that it is not about the number of gifts, neither how expensive nor fancy they are. Rather opt for simple, practical items, keeping in mind that your patient is unwell, most likely homebound, and possibly bored. A care package in such a difficult and stressful time will not only communicate your heart to help and care but will also communicate God’s heart to help and care for those who are suffering in the body.
Let’s Get Practical
With lots of restrictions on hospital and home visitations, patients and families have had it rough on every front. Still, I want to repeat some general guidelines, keeping in mind that each situation is unique:
- wash hands,
- avoid being in too close contact with a sick person,
- help with grocery shopping,
- take care of pets,
- have the doctor’s phone number at hand, and
- make sure they follow their doctor’s instructions and take their medicine regularly.
Basket Basics: First Things First!
Pray for the sick person in private as well as via phone, by sending them a voice note or a message. Mobilize others to pray for them, if they feel comfortable with it, of course. Add to that a handwritten card with an encouraging scripture verse and you will be off to a good and godly start.
As rest is usually top of the list for any patient, I recommend you scan the guideline above and see how you can practically assist the patient, especially if it is a single mother or elderly person.
If a person needs to stay in hospital for some time, a picture frame of their family will be hugely appreciated and is a clever way to bring home to the hospital.
Fresh Fruit & Veg: For Strength of Body
Before starting with various food items, I would recommend fluids first. Fresh orange juice, energy drinks, and herbal teas can all speed up the recovery process.
Then there are fresh fruit and vegetable, home staples for all ages as the health benefits are huge. Adding oranges, lemons, bananas, and apples to carrots, beetroot, green beans, and a variety of leaves will be both a feast for the eye and the body. Combining that with fresh ginger and raw honey will make for a lovely drink to soothe all kinds of aches. Then there is the old favourite–chicken soup; whether for the soul or the body, it seems to work wonders.
Books, Games & Movies: For Strength of Mind
At any age, boredom can be a real challenge when homebound or on bedrest. A children’s activity basket will be welcomed by both the parents and the child. If the patient can read, I recommend light reading material and magazines, but also books on topics that may interest them. Mind games like crossword puzzles and Sudoku are other good gift choices. When I was homebound for 3 months with Hepatitis B, a friend blessed me with a cross-stitch project. While I have never done it before, I absolutely loved it and soon started all kinds of other cross-stitch projects. I mention movies last, as that is often our first go-to when someone is house-bound.
A Spa-Extravaganza: Relax – God is in control!
I still remember the beautiful pajamas and slippers a friend bought me when I was sick for a couple of months and had to fly back to South Africa. Practical and beautiful, they were a winner as I was in and out of hospital for a couple of weeks. Then there is the bean bag another friend gave. Such a simple gift you may think, but one that will be used again and again, I can promise you that. Other gifts that will be appreciated are bath salts/a bath bomb, body lotion, a face mask, or essential oils. All these will help to de-stress the body and refocus the mind.
