How To Support Someone Living With Chronic Illness
Watching someone you care about navigate a chronic illness can be difficult.
You want to help, but it's often hard to know what to say or do. Many people with chronic conditions hear the phrase, "Let me know if you need anything," but they may not have the energy to figure out what they need and then ask for it. Offering specific, practical support can make a world of difference.
This post will give you concrete ways to show up for your loved one. I'll cover simple acts of service that can lighten their load and discuss a way to provide long-term empowerment. Your support can help them feel seen, cared for, and less alone on their journey.
And, if you’re the one living with a chronic illness and unsure how to respond to the question, "How can I help?" this blog post offers some useful ideas to keep in mind.
Practical Ways To Offer Support
When someone is managing daily symptoms, pain, and fatigue, even small tasks can feel overwhelming. Stepping in to help with everyday responsibilities is one of the most meaningful ways to show you care.
Instead of asking a general "How can I help?" try offering something specific. This removes the mental burden from your loved one of having to come up with a task for you.
1. Offer to help with food and meals
Planning, shopping for, and cooking meals takes a significant amount of energy.
Cooked Meals: Offer to drop off a home-cooked meal. Ask about dietary restrictions beforehand. Consider meals that are easy to freeze and reheat, like soups, stews, or casseroles.
Grocery Runs: Offer to pick up their groceries. You can ask for a list or even help them create one.
Food Delivery: A gift card for a food delivery service like DoorDash or Uber Eats gives them the freedom to order what they want, when they need it.
2. Assist with transportation and errands
Getting around can be a major challenge, especially on days with high symptom levels or multiple appointments.
Rides to Appointments: Driving to and from medical appointments can be draining. Offer to be their driver. You can also offer to sit with them in the waiting room or take notes during the appointment.
Help with Errands: Offer to run errands like picking up prescriptions, going to the post office, or returning library books. Combining their errands with your own can be an efficient way to help.
Rideshare Gift Cards: Gift cards for Uber or Lyft can provide a reliable transportation option when friends or family aren't available.
3. lighten the load at home
Household chores can pile up quickly when energy is low.
Household Tasks: Offer to help with a specific chore. You could say, "I'm free on Saturday morning. Can I come over to help you with laundry or vacuuming?" Other ideas include mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or walking the dog.
Childcare: If they have children, offering to babysit can provide a much-needed window for rest or attending an appointment. You could take the kids to a park or watch them at their house.
4. offer gift cards for specific services
Sometimes, the best support is helping cover the cost of services that benefit their health or ease their responsibilities.
Health and Wellness: Consider gift cards for integrative health providers not covered by insurance, massage therapy, or gentle exercise classes they enjoy.
Home Life: Gift cards for housekeeping, childcare, professional organizers, or handyman services can be incredibly helpful.
Gift Registry: Set up an online gift registry (e.g., Amazon, Target) where they can add items they need or want as they come up.
The Importance Of Emotional Support
Beyond practical help, emotional support is vital. Living with a chronic condition can be isolating. Simply being present and understanding can mean everything.
Regular Check-Ins: Send a text or call just to see how they are doing, with no expectation of a lengthy conversation. A simple "Thinking of you today" can brighten their day.
Be a Good Listener: Create a safe space for them to talk about their struggles without judgment or unsolicited advice. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is listen. If you are tempted to give unsolicited advice, please read this BLOG POST.
Respect Parameters: Understand that they may need to cancel plans at the last minute. Try not to take it personally. Their health has to be their priority. Show grace and reschedule without making them feel guilty.
Respect Boundaries: If they prefer limited in-person support, a gift card for essentials can be incredibly helpful and maintains respect for their privacy and/or need for rest.
The Perfect Gift
Give a gift that will empower your friend or loved one living with chronic illness - a Chronically Well Guide that helps them chart their own course to live well with chronic illness.
The Gift That Empowers
While meals and errands provide immediate relief, you might be looking for a gift that offers lasting support. Consider giving a resource that empowers your loved one to navigate their health journey with confidence and hope. The Chronically Well Guides are designed to do just that.
Why Chronically Well Guides Are A Thoughtful Gift
These guides are not about quick fixes or miracle cures. They are compassionate, realistic resources created by someone who understands the daily realities of living with a chronic illness. They provide a framework for your friend or family member to find their own unique path to living well.
For the Newly Diagnosed: The Chronically Well Newly Diagnosed Guide is a perfect starting point. A new diagnosis can be overwhelming and frightening. This guide offers gentle, practical advice on how to process the news, communicate with doctors, and begin building a lifestyle that supports you this new season in life. It helps turn confusion into clarity.
For Those Ready to Thrive: The Chronically Well Guide to Thriving is for individuals who are ready to move beyond just managing symptoms and want to cultivate a more fulfilling life. It focuses on four key fundamentals—a holistic approach, a thriving mindset, self-advocacy, and choosing joy—to facilitate thriving amidst the challenges.
Giving one of these guides shows you’ve put thought into a gift that supports their long-term health. It’s a way of saying, “I’m here for you, and I want to empower you on your journey.” It acknowledges their strength and provides them with tools to build resilience.
Your Support Matters
Supporting someone with a chronic illness is a long-term endeavor. Your consistent, compassionate presence is more valuable than any single grand gesture. By offering specific, practical help and thoughtful, empowering resources, you can make a profound impact on their quality of life. You are helping them conserve their precious energy for what matters most: their health and well-being.
After reading this, what is one new action you feel inspired to take to either support a loved one or to communicate your own needs more clearly?
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