| If you are lucky, you don't know much about | | | | stay longer. This is possible if hospital policy allows |
| being a good hospital visitor. Most of us don't | | | | for longer visits, if the patient is up for a longer |
| because we haven't had enough experience to be | | | | visit, and if the patient finds it to be uplifting for |
| expert at this. | | | | them. |
| As a visitor, you are probably coming to see a | | | | You don't want to discuss the patient's illness. This |
| patient in order to cheer them up and make them | | | | is all they deal with all day long, and occupies most |
| feel better. If you don't follow certain guidelines, | | | | of their experience and thoughts. If they want to |
| though, you can make the situation worse. | | | | talk about it follow their lead, but don't insist. |
| Seeing a friend or loved one who is ill enough to | | | | Open up the conversation by asking how they |
| need to be in the hospital can be very hard. This | | | | are feeling. This is a good general question and |
| can cause people to behave awkwardly because | | | | lets them decide how much they want to talk |
| of feelings of helplessness and confusion. | | | | about things. If they want to talk about their |
| It's not up to the patient to make you feel better | | | | illness they can do so from here, or if not they |
| about things, though. They are the patient, and it | | | | can give a quick noncommittal response like fine |
| is supposed to be you making them feel better. | | | | or lousy. If they do this, deflect and talk about |
| Follow these recommendations: | | | | something that has nothing to do with illness or |
| Don't overstay your welcome. Your visit should | | | | hospitals. |
| be no more than 30 minutes, much less if there | | | | Be positive in your conversations. Negativity |
| are a number of visitors there to see the patient. | | | | never helps. If the patient feels bad, or looks |
| If you are only one of a crowd of visitors, figure | | | | horrible, you don't have to point this out to them. |
| on 10 to 15 minutes instead. Longer may exhaust | | | | They either already know, or would prefer not to |
| the patient. | | | | know. Instead, be cheerful because this is what |
| If you are the only visitor, you may be able to | | | | would most cheer them up. |