The sheep symbolize people who are righteous, who make justice a part of their way of life. The goats symbolize people who are not righteous, who are not just. Notice that the sheep and goats are defined by their actions, not their words, or even their beliefs. Good words and respect for the Lord must be joined with righteous actions, works of justice. The message of Matthew 25 is clear in terms of ministry with persons who have an illness.
Righteous people visit people who are sick.
Unrighteous people do not. According to Matthew 25, visiting people who are sick is not something we do simply to pat ourselves on the back and make ourselves feel good. Neither is it a time to take on an air of self-righteousness and judgmentalism. Debbi understood and lived this command of Jesus. He says that whatever we do to his family members, we do to him.