Prepare a Medicine Kit

In this Issue: today we talk about making a medicine kit for your Deac’s room

I like to run this column every year as families begin thinking about making packing lists and prepping for their student’s move/return to campus.

It’s always a good idea to send essential medical and first aid items with your student for when they get sick, because they will get sick at some point! Here are some suggestions:

• Basic first aid supplies
  • thermometer
  • Band-Aids
  • antibiotic ointment
  • gauze pads
  • eye drops
  • ice pack that can stay in their freezer
  • heating pad (or warmies that can be put in microwave)
  • A & D ointment helps with chaffing
• Over-the-counter medicines
  • pain medicine/fever reducer (Note: Deacon Health also has over-the-counter medications that students can purchase if needed)
  • Benadryl/antihistamines
  • cold and cough medicine
  • cough drops
  • digestive meds (anti-diarrheal, heartburn, etc.)
• Other items
  • A supply of any prescription medications they take regularly (may transfer RX to Deacon Health or get re-fills)
  • At-home COVID test(s)
  • A supply of replenishing drinks (such as Gatorade)
  • Food (when not feeling well) they could eat in the room without a lot of preparation (soup, crackers, granola bars, apple sauce packets, etc.). Those could sit, untouched, in a container in their closet or under the bed so they’d be ready when your Deac needs them (and does not want to have to go to the Pit to get lunch or dinner).
  • Liquid IV Hydration or many other brands (powder to put in water to help hydration)
  • Moist Wipes for the bottom (do not flush)

Having these items on hand will help them when they are not feeling well. But of course, Deacon Health is also here to help them if they need it!