How Do You Help A Friend Or Loved One Suffering From A Chronic Illness?
If someone you love is diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening disease, you may feel desperate and completely helpless. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Research has shown that family and friends can play a huge role in helping patients deal with a chronic illness. When a person is suffering from a chronic illness, it’s important that they feel truly cared about. What matters most is how people interact with the sick person. Here are some ways that patients and their families can get the kind of support they want from others: • Put an end to family secrets. In other words, honesty is still the best policy. We often try to protect our families and loved ones from bad news, but hiding a person’s serious illness from the rest of the family can backfire. Communicate directly and be open with family members. • Include your children. Although their understanding of the situation may be limited, children still appreciate being told what’s going on around them. Children can sometimes vi
