HELOISE: Ask the patient before visiting

Dear Heloise: Regarding the letter from the nurse about visitors: Visitors should come when the patient is in the hospital, a few days before the person is to be released. At home is the last place I feel like entertaining visitors when I have come home from the hospital.

At home, I feel my house has to be tidy and clean for visitors. I feel a need to entertain and offer refreshments, and am uncomfortable telling people not to come so early or stay so long! If I want to stay in my pajamas all day and bathe later, I can. While I’m in the hospital, none of these issues comes up.

Granted, thoughtful guests will not expect a clean house and will bring refreshments or a meal, or will monitor their time, but many do not. Facing my daily obligations is too much to handle as well as dealing with guests.

Diana B., via e-mail

Diana, everyone feels differently, but I’m with you on your point of view! Hint: Ask the patient or family before visiting!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read the column regarding recycling pill bottles. Be careful! Remember, these bottles may have contained drugs that could cause allergic reactions.

My daughter borrowed a couple of headache tablets from a fellow student that were carried in a pill bottle. It had previously contained penicillin, which my daughter is allergic to — and she had a reaction. Fortunately, someone on campus was a quick thinker, and we had a happy outcome.

Louise G., Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Dear Heloise: I read that a reader staples her appliances’ user booklets, receipts, etc., together. I have two suggestions:

I have a very thick three-ring binder and keep all of that in it, with dividers for kitchen, bathroom, outside, etc.

I photocopy the receipts and put a copy with the original packet. Most receipts are printed on a paper that will be unreadable within two years. With a photocopy, you now have all of the original information and what’s left of the receipt to corroborate it.

Audrey Wharton, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: When picking up a canned beverage to drink, you have to look at the can and align the opening before taking a sip. This can distract you while driving or reading a newspaper, book, etc. When I open the can and take my first sip, I squeeze my thumb into the can to form a small dent in the can. The next time I pick it up, I can position my thumb in the same spot and not have to take my eyes off the road or from what I was reading.

Mike M., Flemington, N.J.

Dear Heloise: The use of paper shredders in the home has grown in the past few years. I have a paper shredder that allows me to shred unwanted credit cards.

Sharon, Camarillo, Calif.

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