Guidelines for Visiting the Sick

My job involves me frequent the hospital quite often to serve my clients. My primary role is to assist clients in settling their insurance claims. Below is a guideline I use when visiting the sick:

Do:

Be friendly and cheerful.
Be reassuring and comforting.
Help the patient relax.
Recognise that anxieties, discouragement, guilt, frustrations and uncertainties may be present.
Give reassurance of divine love and care.
Promise to pray for the patient during his illness - and act on you promise.

Don't:

Speak in an unnatural tone of voice.
Talk about your own past illnesses.
Force the patient to talk. Your silent presence can often be very meaningful.
Promise that God will heal them. Sometimes in his wisdom God permits illness to persist.
Visit when you are sick.
Talk loudly.
Sit, Lean on, or jar the bed.
Visit during meals.
Whisper to family members or medical personnel within sight of patient.
Share information about the diagnosis.
Question the patient about the details of the illness.
Tell the family how to decide when presented with medical options (but help them to decide).
Critize the hospital, treatment or doctors.
Spread detailed information about the patient when you complete your visit.

(Taken from Gary R. Collins, Ph.D. : "Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide")