Depending on what’s wrong, keep visits short, don’t talk TOO much, but be upbeat. If the person can eat anything at all, bake or bring some yummy food for him or her, maybe bring a book or magazine. Ask what errands you can run for the patient (PLEASE do not say, “let me know if you need anything,” or “What can I do to help?” Tell them you are running to the grocery or pharmacy and ask what they need from there. Offer to drive their carpool (if any), pick up their dry-cleaning, throw in a load of laundry for them. Having been a recent patient recovering from surgery, I can tell you that many well-meaning people phrased their offers to help as a “let me know,” statement. Most people, myself included, are not going to want to bother anyone. Just show up with groceries and offer to drive them somewhere if they need to go. That is way more helpful than an ambiguous, generic, let me know if you need anything.
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