Thursday Thinking - Visiting Those Who Are Sick

Expressing care and offering support for sick friends and family members is something most of us want to do, but often find difficult. What should we say and not say? How long should we stay and how often should we visit? What are practical can we can come alongside our loved ones and offer our support?

I found a little piece online I think you would find helpful. It's called, Professional Patient Tip: 10 Tips for Visiting Someone Who is Sick.

Visits and support are important for our friends and family members dealing with serious illnesses and prolonged recoveries. Most of us know someone dealing with a chronic or terminal illness, and it can be especially difficult to know what to do or say in these situations. Maybe you have questions or anxieties about visiting someone who is sick, or maybe you'd just like some suggestions for doing more or doing better. In any case, I think you'll find some good advice in this short article.

If you have some additional resources or ideas of your own you, please share them by posting a comment. Thanks.

From 10 Tips for Visiting Someone Who is Sick:
Visiting someone who is sick isn’t always easy, but it can be an enjoyable time and it should primarily be a comfort for the patient. Many family members and friends find it difficult to visit someone who is sick. If the person is in the hospital, it may be more difficult for some to visit because of past negative experiences they have had at a hospital. Many visitors are anxious or find it stressful to be around a patient because they are dealing with their own fears of sickness. It is natural to hesitate in seeing someone you love or care about, who is in pain or seriously ill. Unfortunately, many people end up not visiting, because they do not know what to do or say to help.
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