Six Practical Ways to Help Someone in a Crisis

We have all had friends or family members with crises: a child in the hospital, a serious illness, a fire, or some other unexpected occurrence. Often, our first reaction is to ask how we can help.

When a person is in the middle of a difficult situation, however, he may not really know exactly what help he needs. Even if he does, he may be reluctant to ask for it.

As the wife of a man who has spent a fair amount of time in the hospital and/or ill, I know from personal experience that even knowing what help to ask for can be an added stress to an already difficult situation. I was often at a loss for words when I was asked what someone could do to help, especially when the crisis was new.

As someone who has been in the trenches, so to speak, I can suggest several practical ways that you can help someone in a situation like this. The next time you want to help someone in a crisis, ask if you can assist in one of these specific ways.

Prepare a meal

When someone is traveling to and from the hospital, or sick at home, getting the family fed without resorting to fast food, pizza delivery or other such expenses can be tough. Having a meal at home ready to heat (or even one that doesn't need heating) can be an absolute Godsend, not to mention a load off someone's mind.

Be sure to inquire about food allergies and aversions, so your meal doesn't go to waste. Also, don't be afraid to make more than needed for a single meal, as long as it isn't going to take up all the room in the freezer. Several of the meals we received were used for a few nights, and even a lunch here and there.

Another helpful hint here is to put the meal in containers you don't necessarily need back. Trying to remember whose pot or bowl belongs to who can make for a hassle when you have other things on your mind.

Do chores

Tasks like laundry, straightening, vacuuming, and doing dishes are often put by the wayside when a crisis comes into your life. Coming home from a long day at the hospital to a house full of dirty clothes or dishes can be overwhelming and disheartening - and looking for the only clean bowl in the house to pour your stale cereal into has never made anyone's day.