A degree of pastoral common sense is often required. A brief chat beforehand helps to humanise your ministry although you do need to make it clear when the causal conversation ends and the rite begins. While it’s not exactly up to you to work out whether the person “should” receive the Eucharist, if a quick chat reveals that they haven’t been to mass in years then obviously it would be better if they didn’t receive. That said, you’re more than just some sort of mobile eucharist dispenser: obviously you need to do more than just hand them the host but besides that communion is also about personal engagement - in other words, take the time to talk to them and, more importantly, to listen to them. You should also be aware that there are prayers for the sick without the distribution of communion which can be used.
The book provides for quite an extensive rite but the extent to which you use all of it will depend on the individual communicant - to put it another way, some sick people (especially the elderly) may have difficulty staying awake if it goes on too long. So read the rubrics carefully and know which parts can be omitted if necessary - again, this is what I like to call pastoral common sense. Indeed, the general introduction provides that the rite may be shortened if necessary, taking into account the particular circumstances, needs, and desires of the sick. That doesn’t of course mean you should just to the bare minimum, but rather you should try to find a healthy medium.
The other thing I would say is expect the unexpected! I’m not sure if you’re going to be going to rest homes / hospitals but if you are dementia patients present a particularly interesting challenge…
Who is the one “forming such judgments?”
