In the week before surgery, designate a place in your home for the things you will be taking with you to the hospital. Make a separate spot for things you’ll need if you are leaving your home to stay in the patient’s house after surgery. A checklist can be helpful in reminding you what to take, so it won't be necessary to return home to pick up forgotten items.

In today's fast-paced world, few of us ever get enough "down time" to pursue all of our interests. As a caregiver, you will find yourself with plenty of time in the hospital waiting areas before, during, and after surgery. Look at this "down time" as an opportunity to do things you normally would never make time for. Turn the waiting time into productive personal time with activities such as:

• Catching up on your reading
• Doing some writing. Bring along some supplies so you can catch up on your correspondence
• Organize your recipe file, or catch up on household paperwork
• Enjoying a hobby like knitting or crocheting
• Using a laptop computer might provide hours of productive distraction, but check with the hospital first on its policy on electronic devices

Don't forget your medication. Make sure that in the week prior to your loved one's surgery you refill your medications and place them with the items to pack for the hospital.

• Take your eyeglasses and/or a case and solution for contact lenses
• Pack some snacks –– individual packages of cookies, nuts, granola bars, etc.
• Bring along a pillow, a throw blanket, and a sweater or light jacket for your comfort
• Bring a bag with toiletries and a change of clothes
• Wear comfortable shoes and pack non-skid slippers and a pair of socks. If you are staying for long periods of time, or especially if you hope to stay overnight, slippers will be a welcome change at the end of the day

Bring an envelope or folder with:

• The patient's medical information. Bring along a list of all medications, nutritional supplements, allergies and health conditions. Include a list of other physicians the patient is seeing and their phone numbers. Bring along the same information on yourself
• Legal documents. If you and the patient have secured a Durable Power of Attorney, bring a copy. If your loved one has a Living Will, bring a copy of this too. Bring identification for yourself, and keep your loved one's identification with you
• Insurance information. Pack insurance and prescription cards with contact names and numbers, for your loved one and for yourself, if different
• Printed material. Bring along all the paperwork related to the surgery that was provided by the surgeon's office
• A list of phone numbers and a cell phone or pre-paid phone card for long distance calls. You'll want to make calls to family and friends throughout the recovery period. Cell phone usage is often forbidden inside hospitals because of conflicts with hospital monitoring equipment. Check with the hospital for its policy

A hospital is not the place for some things. Thefts take place in even the most secure places. Leave your valuables at home. You will need some cash for meals and possibly for parking, so do take along enough cash to cover expenses.

If you are temporarily staying with the patient after joint replacement surgery, you'll need to pack clothes and personal supplies for the length of your stay. Remember that you'll be in charge of the laundry and the shopping, so you may want to pick up additional supplies at the grocery store as needed. If you pack washable clothing, you'll be one cycle away from clean clothes at any time.

You may also want to use the following checklist in preparing yourself for the caregiver experience:

• Tell a trusted neighbor that you'll be away. Consider leaving a key with that neighbor in case of an emergency
• Arrange for pet care
• Water your plants, or ask for someone to care for them for you
• Fill prescriptions and arrange for refills, if necessary
• Put a hold on the mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbor to take them in for you
• Set a timer for your lights (inside and out), and set your security alarms
• Do not change your answering machine message to say you'll be away from home
• Pay bills before you leave
• Adjust your thermostat
• Turn off your washing machine water valve to avoid accidental flooding
• Throw out the trash and clear the refrigerator of perishable foods
• Unplug appliances
• Leave a "reach me at" number with neighbors, family and friends
• Close window blinds and curtains and lock all windows and doors