In my work with patients and their families who are home Hospice I hear a lot of people say that they feel isolated from their friends.  When I ask what their friends could do that would be most helpful in cutting through that feeling of isolation the most frequent reply is: “SEND A CARD OR A LETTER”.

This advice may seem outdated in our world of modern methods of communication so let me explain why cards or letters are preferred in many cases:

• A card or letter can be dealt with as the patient or caregiver has time or energy.
• A postal message is more helpful than an email message because many times the patient can’t easily view a computer screen but they can hold a card.
• Phone calls sometimes come in busy moments; one example of this is if the patient needs help with toileting. Calls at this time are either very short or go to voice mail.  A voice mail creates another task for a caregiver who may already feel overwhelmed and exhausted.
• A patient has the energy to read a lot more cards than see visitors.
• Visitors are sometimes discouraged for infection control reasons.

Please take this posting as an encouragement today to send a card or letter to someone you love who is ill.   The will appreciate the card and the person who sends it!