How to Comfort a Loved One in Poor Health

An illness or injury doesn’t just affect a person’s physical health, it can take its toll on their emotional well-being too. If your partner, friend, or relative is restricted to their home or a hospital due to a medical condition or following an accident, you might be eager to lift their spirits to support their recovery. If so, read the following advice on how to comfort a loved one in poor health.

Give a Thoughtful Gift

Let’s face it, hospitals are boring, and Netflix series and TV shows will only cheer you up so much at home. Put a big smile on a loved one’s face by presenting them with a thoughtful gift they’ll love. For example, if your friend, family member, or spouse has a sweet tooth, they might adore a selection of goodies from the Sweet Hamper Company, such as chocolate, lollipops, chews, and more. A kind-hearted gift will make your loved one feel special and make them feel happier in a hospital or at home.

Listen to Your Loved One

People who are ill or injured might experience a mixture of emotions, especially if they believe their condition may affect their future health or dignity. Rather than avoiding the subject, ask your loved one how they are feeling, listen well, and respond thoughtfully. 

They might experience feelings of frustration, fear, sadness, guilt, anger, or even embarrassment. Provide your relative or friend with the space to chat openly about their emotions before validating their feelings and easing their concerns.

Offer to Help

If a poorly loved one has various daily responsibilities, they might worry about their illness or injury affecting their family, career, or personal obligations. If so, you can trust they’ll appreciate any help that’s offered and might want to take you up on your offer. For example, if they’re worried about their home falling to ruin while in hospital, you could offer to tidy their house, water their plants, mow their lawn, or monitor its security. 

Ask your loved one how you can help to ensure they feel comfortable in asking for your assistance when needed. You can trust they’ll sleep better at night knowing that you’re on hand to help, which will lower their stress levels and speed up their recovery.

Use the Power of Touch

Spending every day at home or in the hospital can feel isolating and overwhelming. Depending on your loved one’s personality, they might want nothing more than a loving hug or a hand to hold. Never underestimate the healing power of touch, as it can make a person feel loved, seen, and supported. Also, a person who’s ill might wonder whose body they are living in, and a cuddle or a hand from a familiar face could provide the reminder they need.

If you listen to your loved one, offer support, and show ways to prove how much you care, you can guarantee they’ll feel a sense of comfort and appreciation after each visit you make.

Originally posted 2023-01-24 00:06:02.