How to Talk to Someone Who is Sick

No one wants to see a friend or loved one sick, but it happens. Sometimes it's short-term and sometime it lasts for years. Sensitivity and patience are very important to communicating with sick people. Here are some tips for trying to keep the conversation comfortable for everyone.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find the time to visit sick people. It makes them feel important and renews their belief in themselves. A person with a serious illness is likely to go through a period of self-hatred, depression and condemnation for something beyond their control. Just walking through the door and saying hello, even for a few minutes, can make a sick person's day.
2. Call before you stop by, so the sick person can be dressed, cleaned up, or can tell you that they feel too sick and can't handle company. Calling on the phone also gives the patient something to look forward to.
3. Show up with books, magazines, flowers or even a stuffed animal for a woman or child. Food is not a good idea if the sick person is on a special diet. Pajamas, bathrobes and slippers will make the patient more comfortable and feel better. Bring a newspaper and read articles out loud that may interest them.
   
4. Visit as often as possible but only for short periods of time. If you see the person tiring or beginning to wilt, get up and leave with a promise you will be back.
5. Bring something to do like a deck of cards or a board game, or bring a bunch of people. This allows the sick person to get their mind off their illness, even if for a little while. Having a lot of people in the room laughing and talking is a wonderful distraction.
6. Sit quietly sometimes. It is not necessary to always be having a conversation. Your presence in their hospital room or at their home says that you care.
7. Visit just as often after the sick person recovers. Most patients get a lot of attention when they are seriously ill. Once that attention is gone, and the patient is just recovering can be the worst time of all. They are technically healthy, but very lonely. Be there for them after the illness, as well as during the illness.