houseguest coming
 

an older (75ish) and very genteel lady is coming to visit me in december for a week. i am looking for suggestions on ways to make her bedroom as comfortable and welcoming as i can. does anyone have any thoughts on any special things i might put in the room. i have the lighted clock and a small flashlight but am hoping for something nice you may have seen or learned as a guest or from your mom, at b&b's or whatever...
thanks

Definitely fresh flowers, magazines, especially those you think she wouldn't normally treat herself to, and maybe special chocolates or other snacks. And definitely, plenty of comfy pillows.

nice candles and soaps, and perhaps a guide to your area

When my MIL stays the night, we place a nite-lite in the bathroom. This helps her to find her way safely.

I always like to place an extra throw on the chair or bed just in case someone is cold.

Little samples of hand creams or soaps are also nice. If she enjoys teas, a selection of teas and a tea cup would be very inviting too.

Have a great visit.

bottled water for when one gets parched in the middle of the night. Night lites for when one needs to get up in the middle of the night. And chocolates....well she is a lady!!!

First of all - flowers are lovely - but I would NOT put them in the room. Allergies could mean she could not sleep in the room.

Some of the things I always put in my guest room are - extra pillows/blanket, water carafe/glass, vanity mirror, a nightlight - either in the room or in the hall outside and in the guest bathroom, books/mags, candy dish, at least one totally empty dresser drawer and plenty of free space in the closet, an upholstered chair so she doesn't have just the bed to sit on, am/fm radio w/ a list of the frequencies of some local radio stations, . . those are the main things I can think of right now.

How about a 70 yr old gent to warm her feet

Good Times Fairhope!!!! good times......

A nightlight in the bath that she will be using is a good safety measure. Ask her if she wants one on in the bedroom. A lot of people that age sleep very lightly, a night light would be a bother. I would skip any scented candles, etc unless you know for sure that such things don't bother her.

Chocolates, or peppermints by the bed would be wonderful. And a box of tissues on the bedside table.

I am sure that she will be quite happy with anything you do.

...or to make things easier, maybe just a microwavable heating pad! lol!

I have one of those touch lamps in my extra room that's convenient, no fumbling for the switch. It's a special plug from Lowe's or Home Depot that gives it this ability.

But you can also get the 'closet' type that's just an approx. 5-6 inch diameter half moon that you can touch to turn on (just a couple bucks) & leave it on the side table.

Some makeup wipes in the bathroom, hairspray (if she's a user), hand mirror, access to a full length mirror.
Speaking of mirrors, a magnified one is nice for makeup,etc., on the vanity.

The fresh flowers, magazines and chocolates are a nice touch!

Some stationary or postcards might be nice, complete with stamps & pen.

Belle

Belle

Ask her.

Iron the sheets if you really want to impress her. I have never ironed a sheet in my life, but some older people at church were talking about the need to iron the sheets for important house guests. I'm not kidding. I told them that that is crazy. Then I got to thinking about it. Ok, it's still crazy, but maybe necessary depending on how crotchety this old lady is.

Genteel ladies like to nip on sherry. How about two bottles--one dry and one sweet.

So many good ideas already posted!

A shower cap (some ladies do not like to wash their hair every day) and a nonslip mat for the bath.

likestoeat--My mother used to iron the sheets. She still does the pillow cases. I remember her teaching me how to iron those and my fathers hankerchiefs. None of that happens in our house now though! LOL!

Definitely night lights - all the way to the bathroom...and water on the bedside table.

Also, for safety, install something in your tub shower for getting in/out, steadying oneself.

And, make sure your toilet paper fixture is firmly attached to the wall!

what wonderful suggestions you all have come up with. thank you thank you!
fairhope - if only...
i will definetly check on all the lighting.
AND i think i could manage to iron the sheets this one time. (i did ours often with my mom) i think margaret would think that quite a treat.
now - how do i keep from eating/drinking all the goodies before she arrives??

mms: Yeah, it's hard to keep those kleenex from igniting when I try to press them! Ha!

Belle

The heating pad is an excellent idea, although microwavable isn't going to work unless she has easy access to your microwave. I sometimes have an extra robe and slippers, esp. if it's winter.

I also try to find books or magazines that have some special interest for a guest -- something regional or humorous or refers to whatever it is we have in common (both from the same town... ).

Remember to turn off the ringer if there's a phone in the guest room and you might get early or late phone calls.

Hi Virginia, what a nice hostess you are. A couple of empty drawers would be nice as well as plenty of closet space with hangers, dress hangers, suit hangers, slack hangers. Space on the floor of the closet for her shoes.
And perhaps, if she fully unpacks, offer to remove her suitcase from her room so it is not in her way while she is with you. Oh, a wastepaper basket for sure.

I agree with no flowers or scented candles unless you know for sure she is not allergic to various scents.

Regarding towels and washclothes, bath mat etc. I would replenish those as needed. Sometimes one has to use the same ones all week. Fresh ones are so appreciated. And a magnifying mirror is a great idea as already mentioned. Tissues in the bedroom and bathroom. Oh yes, extra toilet paper in the bathroom and show her where it is stored.

Extra blankets and pillow is always a good idea. Maybe even one of the pillows that have arms, forget the name of them, they can be purchased for around $20.00 in case she want to go to bed early but sit up and read.

It seems to me with your thoughtful concern your houseguest will be most happy and comfortable and will feel so welcomed. Have a wonderful visit!

Oooops Virginia, do not know if anyone else mentioned this, but a nonskid bathmat in the tub or shower would probably be a good idea also!

I have scanned this and I don't think anyone has mentioned:

A towel rack to hang/dry her towels on - we have a heated one, lovely :-) a hairdryer and a towelling bathrobe.

If she's unpacking everything to closets and drawers this may be unnecessary, but we have a luggage holder (similar to the folding holders used in hotels) that our guests use. It keeps clothes, etc. off the floor and at an easy height to access.

If she's a letter or postcard writer, a padded lap desk she can use sitting up in bed is wonderful.

Hi Virginia,
The only other thing I could suggest is an electric jug and "the makings" for tea/coffee. And a nice biscuit/cookie or two to go with it (LOL).

I'm sure she would appreciate being able to have a quiet cup of tea/coffee late night/ early morning without worrying about disturbing the house.

I think someone else mentioned a choice of pillows.

And yes, ironed sheets are the ultimate luxury ! There's something just mmmmmmm about crisp white linens!

What a wonderful post! I have an uncle coming in today from California, and this gave me some great ideas!!

The elderly often need brighter lights so I would recommend replacing the light bulb in the room near the bed (that could be used for reading) with one with larger wattage. If you have a 75 watt, increase it to 100 or put in a 3 way bulb if your lighting allows.

Oh, just thought of another one. In the bathroom, be sure any rugs have a non-slip backing on them.

Nice touch is to have fresh towels every day

I would be very careful about scented candles or anything with a strong scent

I agree with GBelle - Really GOOD lighting.

What I really appreciate in a guest room is a mirror. A full length one. If she cares about her manner of dress she will appreciate this. (Most guests do not get their own bathroom).
I always appreciate the bottled water and a robe.
You're very considerate :-)

If this is her first trip there, instead of magazines, maybe get a nice coffee (pictoral) table book of your particular area for her bedside table for light reading. She can enjoy it there and then take it home as a souvenir of her visit.

If that seems a little too costly, then maybe lovely stationary cards (not post cards) with photos of your area.

Packing a warm bathrobe on a trip can be a real burden. I would definately have a nice thick, warm bathrobe for her to use.

As people age, it often becomes more difficult to just get comfortable, as well as mobility issues often arising. So I would give high priority to things like offering a variety of pillows of varying softness and size, and a reading chair that is very soft and comfy, but also low and shallow and easy to get in and out of. Plus a firmer chair, maybe even one from the dining room, to sit on for putting on shoes and such; again, smaller and lower is better.

Since you mentioned a lighted clock, that might suffice as a night light. Although daylight won't be an issue in December, it would still be helpful to provide room-darkening shades if the room faces the street.

Make sure that ordinary over-the-counter comforts are available in her room or in the bathroom, including aspirin, antacids, bandaids, etc. If she will be sharing a bathroom, remove all your prescriptions and then tell her to make herself at home with the medicine cabinet.

I agree that you should avoid flowers and scented items.

One challenge with a genteel older person is that they are less likely to speak up if there's a problem or a need that isn't met. So do make a point of giving her plenty of openings to make requests or suggestions.

These are awesome ideas! I haven't seen electric blanket yet. When I recently stayed with a friend whose house was chilly, I SO VERY MUCH appreciated the electric blanket she put on my bed... aaahhhhh.

Have a great time with her Virginia!@};-

Here's something I had never considered until DH's dear Aunt and Uncle came to visit. She was unable to see where the sheets ended and the carefully matched comforter began! Perhaps a little turn down service (with a candy/chocolate on the pillow) would be helpful. And by all means, show her where she can "stow" her stuff, location of extra pillow and where her towels are located if the bathroom is shared. A pitcher/glass of water and honey/lemon cough drops?

My mother appreciates a bedside clock with LARGE numbers; easier to see at night without glasses.

I think that extra blankets are a great idea. Something soft. Watch out for microwaveable heating pads. If they are too hot, many older people's senses are not as acute as they used to be and burns might occur. Buy two nightlights. Plug one in in the bathroom one and leave the other night light on the bedside table. When you show her to her room, you can ask if she sleeps with one and plug it in if she desires. Chocolates. If she is diabetic, there are lots of good sugar-free chocs. Bottles of H2O. Clock. Phone with the ringer off. Ask her if she is an earlier riser or not. Hope you have a good time!

Genteel ladies don't usually swig their water from a bottle. Might I suggest a small pitcher with fresh water in it each evening and a small glass, or if no pitcher then a glass beside the bottled water. Also a coaster, as she will not want to ruin the finish on your dresser.

I suggest a little gift bag or basket on the bed with a welcome note and some local specialties, candies, orange marmalade, maple syrup or whatever your area is noted for.

Even though I have towels on the towel bar and in the linen closet in the hall, I put a stack of bath towels and face clothes in the cabinet under the sink just in case guests are all ready to step into the tub/shower and realize the towels are out in the hall. Be sure to mention it to her as well. Also in the bathroom I have new toothbrushes and other toiletries in case the guest has forgotten theirs.

Another little touch is to dig up a picture of her or better yet, a picture of her put it in a pretty frame and set it out somewhere in the room.

For years when my aunts came from AZ and when any older people have stayed by me, I've always made sure there they had multiple pillows.

Every one of mine had to have extra pillows as they slept almost sitting up and had or used elevated beds at home. Lots of elderly can not sleep flat or without elevation.

And I always gave them more towels to use and keep in the bedrooms- extra large bath size.