What to keep by the bedside

Keep ordinary things close

A notebook, pen, charger, tissues, trash bags, water, a clock, and the contact sheet are often the things people reach for without thinking. Keeping them in one spot saves a lot of small trips.

Separate supplies from records

Use a basket or tray for daily items and keep paper records in the binder, so both are easy to find without digging through the other.

Ask the care team about clinical supplies

Use the supplies and instructions they provide. CareKeeper is only helping you organize the non-clinical side — what to keep close by is different from what to do with it, and that part stays with your care team.

A few comfort items people reach for

Alongside the practical items, many families keep a few comfort items within reach: a soft blanket, lip balm, a damp cloth, soft lighting, or quiet music.

A familiar object — a photo, a favorite pillow, something with a personal meaning — can matter as much as anything practical.

The Bedside Comfort Kit Checklist lists these alongside the everyday items, so you can check them off or print the page blank.

It's all right to just sit for a while

Not everything by the bedside needs to be a task. Sitting nearby, talking or reading out loud, or simply being present is its own kind of care.

If you are keeping a longer vigil, it is fine to take turns with someone else rather than feeling you need to be there every minute.