Emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. When a serious medical issue comes up for a friend or family member you might feel ill-equipped to help them navigate their new reality. Whether it’s a cancer diagnosis or a car accident, there are lots of things you can do to show your support for someone in need. Keep reading to discover different ways to support someone in a medical crisis.
Providing Monetary Support
Providing monetary support is one of the most straightforward things you can do for someone who suddenly met with a serious or life-threatening medical issue. It may feel awkward to think about springing this on a loved one, but gifting with money is extremely effective, and it’s a fast way to get someone the help they need when they need it.
There are a few things you can do when you give money to make sure your message of support is clear and kind. First, offer financial support without any strings attached. You can say something like, “This is a gift. I don’t need to know how you will use it, and I won’t accept any money paid back.” Next, don’t ask the recipient to choose the amount. Doing so can result in your friend or loved one asking for far less than they need. Instead, decide how much you are able to give before you speak to the person who needs help.
Leading With Empathy
When you reach out to support someone in a crisis, lead with empathy instead of sympathy. If you’re confused about the difference, it comes down to these two things:
- Sympathy is feeling for someone
- Empathy is feeling with someone
Avoid trite sayings like, “I feel so sorry for you.” Instead, offer a listening ear and try to imagine the difficulties and emotions your friend or family member is experiencing. Use affirmations to validate how they are feeling, including:
- “That must be really hard.”
- “You have every right to feel that way.”
- “I have never experienced this, but it seems very painful.”
Keeping the House Clean
As you can imagine, it might be tough for your friend or loved one to keep up with chores at home after getting sick or injured, which is why it will mean a lot when you do it for them. Always get their permission before entering their home, and make sure you understand their boundaries, if they have any. Your friend might feel wonderful when you do the dishes but frustrated if you do their laundry.
Making Healthy Meals
Whenever you can, make sure your friend or loved one is eating healthy meals so that they heal faster and sooner. Making these meals is a great way to show your support. You can whip up a batch of homemade chicken soup or prepare a casserole that’s oven-ready and drop it off at your friend’s house. However, you do it, offering good food is an essential act of kindness for a person in need.
It’s common to freeze up when terrible things happen. Keep these ideas in mind so that the next time someone you love needs an extra hand, you won’t even have to think about what to do to help them.
