If you are sick, or the loved one or caregiver for someone who is sick or injured, you’ll find many family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others who want information. The sick person may be in the hospital, a rehab or treatment center, a nursing home, or even in his own home, but needs rest and privacy. Those interested folks are well-meaning, but incessant phone calls or visitors aren’t practical.
If you aren’t the patient, then DO get permission from the patient to develop one of these sites. Some people are just too private to want anyone else to know what’s going on. Others will be very happy you’ve taken the initiative to keep their loved ones in the loop.
Photos: In most cases, DO use a photo of the person from before he or she got sick, depending on what the illness or injury is. A cancer patient undergoing chemo will have different needs or wishes from someone whose leg is in traction. Leave the choice of photos up to the patient, if possible.
DO provide regular updates, including a conclusion. When “Joe” has his knee replaced, then heads to a rehab center, begins walking again, and then goes home, his friends are going to want to know those details. If he is having problems along the way, then they have the opportunity to send him some encouragement.
DO let website visitors know when it is OK to visit the patient in person. Once Joe goes home, he may want visitors to keep him company and help him out around the house.
After using a public computer, DO wash and sanitize your hands before you touch the patient. It will help to make sure the patient doesn’t get an infection from you that may have come from someone else who used that computer.