The help provided by family and friends is of real benefit to the main caregiver. Caring for someone who is seriously ill is very demanding, both physically and emotionally. If someone is living alone they may have a special need for practical help to enable them to remain at home if they wish to do so.
Sometimes people don't get involved because they don't know how to help. There are many simple ways that people can help:
Physical help - Do the shopping. Offer to drive them to appointment. Cut the lawns and prune the roses. Turn up with a meal. Take home a load of washing.
Time out - Give the carer a chance to have a break. They need to be able to have time for themselves.
Company and social support - Ask if you can come over. Bring afternoon tea with you. Offer a listening ear for the patient or the carer if that is what they want.
Helpful information - Find out useful community resources and supports such as a chemist that home delivers. The local library might have a volunteer service that will bring around books and videos. Provide this information to the family. Don't make any arrangements without their permission.
Helping with children - If they have children offer to have them come over to play. Organise a car pool to get them to school, sport and other commitments.
At work - You can help by supporting the carer or the patient if they wish to continue working.
The following websites have more ideas:
This page was created on 26 March 2007 and is due for review in March 2009.