You can also make the person feel more comfortable by making sure they have access to warm blankets and lots of pillows, especially if they have a cold or a flu. A sick person may need to get up to 10 hours of rest. Encourage the person to rest when they are tired so that they can recuperate better.
The average adult needs to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water or more every day and should urinate at least three to four times a day. Gauge the sick person’s hydration level and note if they do not go to the bathroom often during the day. This may be a sign they are dehydrated.
Avoid giving the person unhealthy foods high in trans fats and empty calories, as this will not support her immune system as she recovers from her illness. Nourishing foods like soup, porridge, oatmeal, and fruit smoothies are all good meal options for a person who is feeling ill and weak.
You can help make the sick person feel better by assisting with the changing of the bedding every day and helping to person to change positions in bed. If the person is very physically weak, she may have a hard time turning over on her own in bed. You can assist her home nurse or ask someone in the house to help you lift and turn the person at least once a day to prevent the development of bedsores.
You can also bring their favorite novel for them to read to distract them from their illness and provide some entertainment for them. You can both also do a fun craft or a small project together that involves multiple visits to see the person. This will give the sick person something to look forward to and allow you to spend quality time more often with the person.
For instance, you might say something like, “Is there anything I can do to help? I’m happy to drop by after work, even if it’s just to visit for a while. " You might also offer to help with things like making a meal, vacuuming, shopping, or providing transportation. [3] X Expert Source Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAPPediatric Pulmonologist & Medical Counselor Expert Interview. 1 July 2020. However, if they say no, don’t offer repeatedly—that will just cause them to feel unheard or disrespected. [4] X Expert Source Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAPPediatric Pulmonologist & Medical Counselor Expert Interview. 1 July 2020. When trying to cheer the person up with words, avoid using phrases like “Look on the bright side” or “It could have been much worse”. These phrases, though full of good intention, can make the person feel guilty for being sick or feel they do not have a right to be sick when there are other people less fortunate than them.
Ask the person if they’d like to talk about their illness before you bring it up. If so, listen, but don’t try to help them solve their problem. Instead, talk to them in a positive but realistic way. [5] X Expert Source Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAPPediatric Pulmonologist & Medical Counselor Expert Interview. 1 July 2020. Don’t say that you understand how they feel, since each person’s feelings are different. [6] X Expert Source Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAPPediatric Pulmonologist & Medical Counselor Expert Interview. 1 July 2020. Avoid forcing an opinion on the person and focus instead on being there as a sympathetic ear. Many sick people find it helpful to know someone is sitting with them at least once a day and listening to them talk. Often, being sick can be a boring and lonely experience. Having someone who is willing to listen can help a sick person feel acknowledged and cared for.
