The document provides communication suggestions for family members of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to help ease tension and stress. Key recommendations include speaking calmly, using simple gestures, and offering reassurance while respecting the patient's need for rest. It emphasizes the importance of collaborating with ICU staff and maintaining a support system for both patients and family members.

2. Introduction
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a very
"intense" area and can create a great deal of
tension and stress for patients and families.
Effective and appropriate communication is an
important part of the healing process, not
only for the patient, but also for the family.
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3. Suggestions for communication
The following are suggestions for family
members on how to communicate with a
loved one in the ICU:
• Speak in a calm, clear manner. Make short
positive statements.
– Many family members assume because their loved
one is on a ventilator they cannot hear and so
they speak loudly, don't worry they can hear you.
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Acknowledge and recognize any discomfort
your loved one may be experiencing.
– For example, you may tell them, "You're are in the
ICU and you have a tube to help you breath. This
is just temporary and we will get the nurse to give
you some medication to make you more
comfortable, you are doing great and making
progress."

5. • Do not ask the patient questions that cannot be
answered. Use a board so the patient can point to a
word such as "pain" this allows your loved one to
make his need known. It is not unusual for patients
to be angry, frustrated, or not be interested in
communicating. Be patient with them.
• Provide a small board for the patient to write on.
Many patients can write just enough so you know
what they want.
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6. • Offer short phrases that offer support and
reassurance.
– For example, "Mom, its Maureen, I'm here with you and
you are doing much better. Everyone is taking good care of
you."
• Simple hand gestures may work as well, such as
thumbs up = "good"; and thumbs down = "pain" or "I
need something."
• Remind your loved one that "this is just temporary
and they are making good progress." Flood them
with faith and hope
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7. • Hold your loved one's hand or touch them gently
• Orient your loved one to the surroundings,
– for example, the date and time of day. You may want to
make a sign each day with the date on it and place it
where they can easily see it (for example, on the wall at
the foot of their bed). Describe what the different noises
are to help ease any fear or anxiety they may have about
them.
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8. • Read your loved one's favorite prayers, poems,
books, stories, or bible verses.
• Music may be allowed in the ICU when appropriate.
Again be sure to check with the ICU staff for
guidance.
• Finally, just ask — the ICU staff may have the perfect
suggestion for you to assist you in communicating
with your loved one.
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9. General suggestions for the family
members
• Always check with the critical care staff before
touching anything or saying anything to the patient.
Stimulation can cause harm during critical periods of
the recovery process.
• Ask the critical care staff to explain to you what the
current status of your love one is, so you understand
what is going on and why.
• Ask for suggestions on what would be helpful at this
time for your loved one.
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10. • Do not discuss any unpleasant matters in your loved
one's room. If your loved one's condition is critical,
discuss this or other problems outside the room.
– For example, do not discuss financial matters, or family
disagreements, etc.
• If you are emotional and or upset either leave the
room. It may be helpful to request a Chaplin or social
worker to help you to calm down and help you feel
reassured, or sit quietly at the bedside. It may only
be harmful to your loved one to speak when you are
angry or upset.
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11. • Request your church Chaplin, the hospital Chaplin, or
a social worker if you feel you need further support
for yourself or for your loved one during the
hospitalization.
• Consider setting up a family visitation schedule to
spend time at the hospital, this prevents one person
from becoming exhausted.
• It is important for family members to remember to
be supportive of each other. Don't forget to take care
of yourself, eat, drink fluids and get rest!
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12. • Have two designated family members that
communicate with the physicians and nurses in
regard to your loved one's daily progress, and then
those family members can update everyone else. You
may want to keep a journal of information,
questions, and answers. The critical care staff does
not have time to answer the questions of multiple
family members - they are very busy people and have
your love one's best interest at heart.
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13. • Allow your loved one periods of rest, this is a critical
part of the healing process.
• Just sit quietly at the bedside, speak only if your
loved one wakes up. Offer support and comfort.
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14. THANK YOU
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