How You Can Help
Just being here, holding the patient’s hand and talking to them, you are making a big difference.
As you are comfortable this guide offers a few other ways for you to offer care for your loved one.
Daily Supportive Care
These are simple, hands-off activities you can do everyday.
Hands-on Care Guides
These activities require being hands-on with the patient and may take time to get comfortable with.
Talk with your nurse before proceeding with any care activities. You can show them this page.
Daily Supportive Care
Create a soothing environment and provide emotional support while promoting your and your loved one’s healing.
- Provide comfort and sense of normalcy
- Maintain patient’s mental health
- Reduce feeling of isolation
- Alleviate stress and anxiety
- Promote mind, body healing
Mindfulness Exercises
Play Music
Offer Distractions
Talk to the Patient
Adjust the Room Environment
Spiritual Care
Hands-on Care Guides
These hands-on cares help address the most common ICU symptoms. It can feel good to help the patient, but as with all cares remember these are optional. The power of your loving presence is all that’s needed.
- Ease physical discomfort
- Improve blood flow
- Aid digestion, skin health, and overall healing
- Strengthen the bond between you and your loved one
Use an Ice Pack for Pain Relief
Use a Cool Cloth for Comfort
Applying a Mouth Swab
Applying Lip Balm
Applying a Cold, Wet Cloth to Lips
Hand or Foot Massage
Acupressure
Don’t Worry About Which to Choose
Based on the symptoms you report, we’ll give you specific guidance on what might help most.
Remember, you can always mix it up.
Some days you might feel up for a hands-on approach, while other times, you might prefer something more low-key.
No matter which type of care you choose, your presence and support make a big difference.
You’re doing great!