What would be proper to say when visiting terminally ill patient?

just treat them the way you always do..there is no standard thing to say. say hi hello and pretend nothing is wrong..(without being inconsiderate) sometimes all a ill patient need is a normal treatment.What would be proper to say when visiting terminally ill patient?
I used to do hospice work and always found just showing up with a kind heart and a sincere smile would mean a whole lot to someone who knew they were dying. Just stopping by, if they're up to a visit, and letting them know you're thinking of them warms their heart. In return, it will warm your heart, too. It's a beatiful win/win situation. Blessings to you.What would be proper to say when visiting terminally ill patient?
Good for you, visiting a terminally ill patient instead of letting your discomfort keep you away--that's the biggest hurdle right there. They'll understand that you're uncomfortable, so don't sweat boo-boo's like ';Get well soon.'; But saying ';I hope you feel more comfortable'; is perfectly okay. Talk about movies, TV shows, family, weather, etc. If they're in the hospital, you might bring them some magazines and chat about the current events. Just you being there, even if not much gets said, will mean a lot.
If they were in the hospital for their appendix, what would you say, would you ask about it? When my Dad was dying he was grateful when I came to see him he said people would come stand in the corner and watch him die he hated it, be you, if you are uncomfortable then say that ask them what to do, believe me they will appreciate the honest approach, wouldn't you
If I were dying I would want to know that the rest of the world would miss me and they will keep on going with their own happy lives when I am gone. I would make my last visit in this way.
Whatever you would normally say. There's no need to bring up the illness. Talk to this person the way you would talk to them if you didn't know they were terminally ill. (I'm sure that will be difficult.)
How are you doing today or just let them talk.


I have found it's always better to talk about family or current events.


Hope this helps.
Don't skirt around the issue of their dying. Terminally ill people often WANT to talk about it because they need to work through their fears and concerns...but they often don't bring it up out of fear of upsetting their visitors.





On the other hand, don't be morbid and push the issue either. Reminisce about the good times and mutual friends.





Ask if there is anything you can do for them...and mean it. Make specific suggestions if you can...like writing their obituary, finding contact information on an old friend the patient might want to speak to before it is too late, committing to helping a family member after he/she dies, etc.
be yourself. and be considerate of thier suffering. I am a bit strange cuz I am a person who believes in God and an eternal future beyond deaths door. So, being me, people that know me would expect me to ask them about their future eternity. but not abruptly or being rude about it. just asking them.


But offering your love with hugs, less words and more listening, and sometimes, just being there. even if you silently sit on the couch beside the hospital bed while they sleep. being there to show you are caring , supporting, and listening.


and if they dont feel like visiting cuz they feel so yucky, well, never be offended. show love , care, compassion and understanding by excussing yourself.


leave your contact information with the nurses or family members so they can call upon you for anything they may need help with. being available is more than words can say.


listening more than you speak, can speak volumes.


hope this helps...........
as little as possible. I heard a preacher chastise a dying young woma for no meeting her church tithes. I threw him out.
Hello is a good start, and then let them speak. Sometimes saying nothing is the best approach. Should a conversation be what they want listen carefully to them and respond to what they say. Let them be the one in control of the conversation. There is so little they may have control of it probably is a welcome event to be able to say what they want to say. Even if what they want to say amounts to ';I am mad, angry, feeling sorry for myself, want to believe a cure will be found in time.'; Just be the best listening ear you can.


Plan on keeping the visit short, in order for the person to be able to rest, and let them keep you longer if that is what they want.


Under no circumstance should you talk about your aunt viv, or the ulcerated disk your dealing with, or anything which would overshadow the difficult path they are having to walk. Just be there and for those few moments you are there with them, walk that path with them.