With millions of sign-ups and support sent through Give InKind, we’re so proud to help care for your friends and loved ones. We’re always working to improve your experience with Give InKind, whether you’re organizing supporters, sending support to someone you know and love, or if you’re on the receiving end of a generous Give InKind support effort.
Your requests have been heard, and we’re now pleased to offer anonymous gifting options. There are a few levels of anonymity you may opt for. We’ll break those options down for you here.
Just Keeping It Between You and The Recipient
For times you want to help without letting others know who you are, keep it between yourself and the Recipient.
Wishlist – When you send a gift from the Wishlist, the recipient is notified you have sent a gift. Your support is not displayed anywhere on the InKind Page.
Care Calendar sign up + “Don’t show my name publicly on the Calendar” When you sign up for in-person care and check the box marked “Don’t show my name publicly on the Calendar” Supporters will see “from anonymous” on the calendar request. The Page Organizers will be notified that you have signed up.
Care Calendar gift card + “Don’t show my name publicly on the Calendar” When you sign up and send a gift card through a Care Calendar request, Supporters see “from anonymous” displayed. The Recipient sees your name in the email they receive containing the gift card. Page Organizers see your name in the Care Calendar notification email.
Visa gift card with Greeting Card – Send a customized Visa gift card in a personalized greeting card, and we’ll mail it directly to the Recipient. This support is not shared publicly on the InKind Page. Only Page Organizers and the Recipient will be able to see that you have sent the gift.
Keeping It To Yourself
To make your support anonymous to everyone, including Page Organizers and Recipients, you may use the following options.
Wishlist + “Make my gift anonymous” – When you purchase a gift from the Wishlist and check the box marked “Make my gift anonymous” the Recipient will be notified that an anonymous supporter has sent them a gift. While you will be asked for billing purposes, your identity will not be shared with the Page Organizers or Recipient.
Care Calendar gift card + “Don’t show my name publicly on the Calendar” To provide support through the Care Calendar while remaining anonymous to everyone, you may send a gift card. Check the box marked “Don’t show my name publicly on the Calendar”. When beginning the gift card purchase, check the box marked “Make my gift anonymous”. Supporters, Recipients, and Organizers see “from anonymous” on the calendar request, notification, and gift card emails.
Visa gift card with Greeting Card + “Make my gift anonymous” – When you opt to send a customized Visa gift card, checking the box marked “Make my gift anonymous” will allow you to personalize a gift card and greeting card to be printed and shipped directly to your Recipient, and your name will not be attached.
For those times you want to send silent support, select the Anonymous option during your sign up or purchase.
When we hear about a challenge a loved one is facing, a common first response is to offer help. We jump to provide meals and transportation, take care of errands, regularly check-in, and even cover bills.
But when a tough time comes around for ourselves, the idea of asking for help makes most of us cringe or feel shame. (How society conditions us to punish and not want better for ourselves is a deeper, different article.) In this article we’ll break down some easy and important ways to get around the mental roadblock and facilitate some care for yourself.
Preparing oneself for what lies ahead is a sign of strength.
So we’re re-framing the idea of “asking for help” as Preparing for Success. Let’s talk about how to prepare for the most successful outcome, whether you’re welcoming a new baby, having a surgery, facing an illness, or moving to a new home.
I recently had “routine” surgery. Despite being no stranger to the procedure, and having days off work scheduled for recovery, I created a Give InKind support page to help with accountability. And I’m so glad I did. With my InKind Page tailored to suit my exact needs, spirits have been surprisingly high thanks to all the incoming support.
With an InKind Page, there are many features available to help prepare for success.
The Wishlist allows for requesting and sending gifts and gift cards that will help along the way.
The Care Calendar schedules any and every kind of support needed.
Fundraising options connect generous donors with easy payment methods, and
Updates keep everyone on the same page throughout the process.
Here’s how I used my InKind Page to set myself up for success after surgery.
After customizing the page with all my needs and preferences, I shared the link with my circle of friends.
Meals and more through the Care Calendar
Meals were something we already had covered. Being on a liquid diet really kept things simple, so I didn’t necessarily need a meal train. What I did need was some accountability throughout the day. Having an assortment of medicines to regularly take, on top of staying fueled and hydrated was a busy schedule to manage, especially under the influence of pain medication.
I used the Care Calendar to set up twice daily check-ins. Friends would text or facetime at the time they signed up for. They would make sure I was on schedule with my medicine and staying hydrated. We would chat a bit then I would go back to resting. It was a really reassuring feeling to know I was not alone in keeping track of my vital post-surgical care. And that my wife could focus on work and not also trying to track my schedule during the day.
It was also a great opportunity to personally connect with some friends. I was pleasantly surprised by the way the Care Calendar filled up almost immediately. And I was pleasantly surprised by who signed up to help.
Wishlist and Fundraising
Gift cards and fundraising were not types of support that I needed for this situation, so I used the Page Settings options to turn them off. The flexibility of displaying these options made me feel comfortable sharing my InKind Page with friends to ask for support. They could see by the options on the page that I just wanted accountability, so their support could be channeled where it was most useful.
Updates
Through the InKind Page Updates I have been able to notify everyone how the journey is progressing. The Updates can be seen by everyone who signed up to help, everyone who followed the page, and anyone who visits the page in the future.
I know myself. And thanks to taking a moment to consider what I might need help with before going into a challenging situation, and thanks to being proactive enough to share those needs with some willing helpers, I actually spent that crucial first week post-surgery thriving. The old me would have quickly fallen behind on medicating and hydrating. I would have wallowed in the discomfort and not felt motivated to do much about it.
Thanks to the support of my wonderful friends keeping me accountable. And thanks to the accountability built into my InKind Page that efficiently organized and reminded my supporters when it was time to check in.
Yes you can do it yourself, but this is proof people want to help.
Taking care of a person is a full time job. Sending a text or making a facetime call is a relatively easy thing to set aside some time for. Breaking down your support into manageable bits makes it easy for friends and family to make a big difference without an excessive amount of effort.
My InKind Page really made a surprising boost to my recovery effort. I should know better; we see it happen every day here at Give InKind, communities uplifting each other. But I finally took a dose of my own medicine and set up a page for my needs, and it really is as heartwarming as they say.
Also, no one shamed or ridiculed me for asking for support. Some even thanked me for sharing the opportunity for them to help. Others appreciated the example of preparing for success and will do so for themselves in the future.
You’ve got nothing to lose, and Give InKind is here to help the helpers.
They’re known as “man’s best friend” for a good reason. In the following article, you can see just how truly attached and loving dogs can be. Now to some, a dog may just be another animal among the millions of animals around the world, while for others adopting a dog is like having a baby or adopting a child into your family. For many adopting a dog is so much more than adopting a pet, it is extending your family. In the same way that losing a human family member hurts, losing your dog can hurt just as much for some people, in some cases it may even hurt them more.
The simplest things in life make them happy, it’s hard not to be jealous of the simplicity in your dog’s life, and nothing else in your life will provide such unconditional love.
Similar to other pieces you may have previously read about gifts to give someone during challenging times in life, we want to welcome you to our newest gift-giving piece. As you continue reading, you will learn about some of the best gifts to give someone who recently lost their furry pal.
Gifts to give your friend who recently lost their dog.
Some ways to cheer them up
Man’s best friend will love and stick by you till their life’s end. Image courtesy of helpguide.
Losing your furry friend is never easy. Do you know anyone who has recently lost their dog? This may be a friend, family member, or even coworker. You want to show them you care and are sorry for their loss. What better way than to gift them something to cheer them up and help make their day? It is important to remember they may not respond in the most upbeat way. They are mourning something that had been a big part of their life for possibly many years.
We hope you can find a gift to cheer them up, even if only for the shortest amount of time. Above all else, be there for them if they want to talk or need a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes just being there for someone as they go through a tough time is the best thing we can do.
Is your friend or family member an avid coffee or tea drinker? Or enjoy drinking beverages out of a mug? Consider gifting them a personalized mug. Find a mug with a quote or saying or even a picture you think they will like. Consider is finding an online store where you can upload a picture and have it printed onto a coffee mug.
A personalized mug allows the recipient to drink a warm drink while keeping a memory of their furry friend along their side. Image courtesy of Loveable.
A plaque.
Some vets allow people to get their furry friends’ paw prints painted or pushed into the clay before they are cremated. If you are close with the individual who lost their dog, this may be something that you try to coordinate with their vet. When vets do this, you will have the ability to memorialize your furry friend’s paw. You can personalize the plaque to make it more special for the recipient who lost their dog.
A meal train is for individuals who are going through hard times and need extra support. You will take the task of cooking and planning meals off their hands as they mourn for their furry friend.
Let’s talk about setting up a meal train. First and foremost, you will need to gather your loved one’s meal and dietary preferences. Then you can create a sign-up for individuals participating in the meal train. This allows everyone to write down their names, the date they plan to bring food over, and the meal they plan to cook for them. This is so that everyone can see what is being contributed to the meal train and so that the recipient of the meal train isn’t overwhelmed with too much food or too much of the same food at once. Having the assigned dates allows them to have time to eat some of the food they are being gifted without accumulating too much.
Another good thing to remember is what your friend’s allergies are or if they have any foods they dislike. While committing a good deed, the last thing you want to do is make that person sick. This leads to our final point of making sure that those participating in the meal train not only provide a combination of meals that can be heated up in the oven or frozen but also include instructions for heating or reheating the food they have contributed to the meal train. For more information on starting a food train and different recipes and tips, we recommend you head to Give Inkind.
So many different recipes to choose from; how does anyone decide on a dish? Image courtesy of familyapp.
A paw print sun catcher.
Does your friend have a porch or a sunny window that they enjoy sitting by? If so, this is a thoughtful gift for you to consider getting for your loved one. A sun catcher is a nice sentimental piece. As the sun shines through, it creates a rainbow or sparkly reflection. The paw print can also be a great reminder of the furry friend.
Now a gift such as this can be a true hit or miss. We recommend this gift to individuals looking to get something for loved ones who have recently lost their furry friend. Different jewelry options to consider gifting include bracelets, necklaces, and even earrings. Consider items with their furry friend’s name or perhaps even a picture engraved in them. Gifting this allows the recipient to wear a small part of their furry friend.
Other options include gifting a locket with a picture or two that the recipient loves of their furry friend. One jewelry item to consider getting for your friend is a small capsule to hold some of the dog’s cremains. These little capsules will permit your friend to carry a piece of them around with them.
A photo album.
We recommend this to create something sentimental for your friend or loved one who has recently lost their dog. Some of the different things to consider adding to the photo album are from your favorite images of the dog and the recipient. Also images of their dog, including memories you have had with them. You can also add quotes and other sentimental pieces.
These are just some of the many gift ideas you can get someone when their dog dies. We aren’t going to insist that you have to stick to our gift suggestions. But we hope that you were able to find an idea or two for gifting someone a pick me up who has recently lost their dog.
If you know someone that’s broken their arm, these are some good gifts and services to get them to help.
A broken arm is no easy thing to deal with. It can impede so much of your day, from sleeping, getting up to shower and brush your teeth, eating breakfast, going to work, coming home and preparing dinner for the whole family. There’s so much that we’re doing on a daily basis and a suddenly broken arm definitely puts a wrench in things.
So how can you help?
Today we’re here to give you a list of ideas of what to get someone with a broken arm. From practical products that’ll help with comfort, to everyday things you might not think of at the moment that will help in bigger ways than you’d first realize. So let’s break down some of the best products/services you can get for your injured friend.
One of the easiest ways you can help is to bring other family members, friends, and neighbors to help. And how to do that? Create an InKind Page. Give InKind is a platform where you can create an “InKind Page” that gives information on the recipient that needs help. It also manages a schedule where people can sign up to do what they can. It takes just five minutes to complete the page and they have helpful tools to make it an easy experience. For life’s unexpected changes, Give InKind is a great way to show your care for others.
Our First Round Of Gifts Are All About: Practicality
Navigating one’s daily routine with a broken arm is tough. Let’s get some products to help with that.
Lending a helping hand especially when someone needs it most can come in a variety of ways, from a small gift to something bigger, either way it’s appreciated.
There are little things that come up every day that you may think twice about doing a certain way. Things like brushing teeth, taking a shower, reaching up to grab your bowl for cereal in the morning, and more. Each of those things are like muscle memory to most and when you have one fewer arm to work with, that can throw off the entire routine in a big way.
So we thought, let’s get practical.
Here’s a few items that’ll help make those “simple everyday tasks” get back to simple.
This 100% Waterproof Cast Cover Arm is perfect for the elbow, wrist, and hand cast. It keeps everyday dry, requires zero amounts of tape and rubber band usage, and can be used multiple times. It’s comfortable and easy to put on, so your loved one doesn’t have to worry about someone helping.
This one can be easily overlooked. It can be an absolute pain once you get into the shower and realize that you need two hands. To open your shampoo and squeeze it onto your other hand and start washing your hair. That’s why we recommend body wash, shampoo, and lotion with a pump. That way your loved one can use one hand to pump and lather. No little frustrations to worry about here. You can find pump bottles online or at your local retailer.
Another practical gift that might be overlooked initially is a dressing stick. Getting dressed can be time-consuming when needing to adapt one’s usual methods for putting on garments. This RMS Deluxe 28 Inches Long Dressing Stick is perfect as it can be used not just on shirts but the whole outfit as well.
In the same vein as the last product, a shoe horn or boot jack is great for not having to reach down and slip shoes on in the morning before your loved one leaves home for the day.
Lastly, a practical gift that’ll help immensely with your loved one’s daily routine is the aptly named “Reacher Grabber Tool”. Yep it’s exactly as it sounds. It’s a way to help grab things from high shelves or down low without reaching up or bending down. There’s a lot of Reacher Grabber Tools on the market, there’s a list on the official PDHRE website ranking some of the best ones you can grab right now.
All of these would make for great products to get when someone you know has a broken arm.
It might help make that transition a little easier on them as they begin their own healing process.
Coming In For Seconds We Have: Comfort And Aid
These next few products are all about helping someone with a broken arm feel as comfortable as they can. They will also aid in their recovery.
Besides in-person physical therapy, there are ways you can help the person in their own home, too.
Going from a normal, everyday life to suddenly having a bulky cast is a fair bit of adjustment to have to deal with. Finding comfort and getting on the right track to healing is important during this time.
Here we have a few products that can help with both comfort and healing:
Most times when someone is dealing with a broken arm they are instructed by a healthcare professional to keep the arm elevated. This Zelen Arm Elevation Pillow Support Arm Wedge is perfect for when your loved one wants to lay down after a long day but still needs to keep that arm elevated. Stacking pillows is fine. But while they’re sleeping they might fall off the bed and that won’t do any good. This elevation pillow will be perfect to have when someone is recovering.
Casts can be itchy and uncomfortable and not being able to scratch underneath your cast is beyond frustrating so that’s why we’re recommending a Cast Scratcher. Perfect for getting those hard-to-reach places and won’t irritate the healing process.
(And if you’re looking for a Cast Scratcher and Sanitizer all in one, this product is also great for helping an itch and clean any sores that might be under the cast to help with healing).
As the weeks pass by and your friend is closer to getting their cast off, they probably have exercises they have been prescribed to help get their muscles back in action. Strength Training Grip Strengtheners are perfect to use. And they can be kept after they’ve recovered as a part of their new daily routine. There’s a bunch listed on Amazon that you can take a look through and see what might work best for the person.
These products can help with the recovery process and are great to help make the transition a little more comfortable.
Products That Are Just Fun To Have And A Little Useful
A little bit of greenery added to the house can make all the difference on their journey to feel better.
Bring a little joy with a few of these things.
What to get someone with a broken arm that loves to read; how about an e-reader? This way they can read their favorite books without having to hold the book awkwardly and flip the pages. This is definitely the biggest gift on the list today. But if this is for someone you love and care about, and you are able, why not splurge a little? You can get a Kindle on Amazon and elevate their reading game for the future.
Next up is something simple but fun, if the person you know has young kids or just simply likes to doodle then why not get them a set of markers to make their plain cast a bit more colorful. During school, kids used to write their names on their classmates’ casts or do fun little drawings. Who’s to say you can’t do that now that you’re grown up? And if they have little kids it’s an opportunity to show them it’s not so scary that their parent got hurt.
One thing that may be useful both during the time with the cast and after is a fanny pack. Your loved one doesn’t have to worry about carrying a book bag or purse. With a fanny pack that’s strapped around them with a simple zipper or snap to get their items for when they’re out on the town.
And finally, a simple potted plant is a great little gift. It brings a bit of beauty in a time where there’s a lot more stress on their daily life.
Simple gifts sometimes make for great ones, especially when you’ve put some thought into it. It really shows how much you care.
Comfort food is called “comfort food” for a reason, it’s there to bring a little bit of happiness.
Food is a comfort that can’t easily be replicated so cooking someone a meal is a great thing to get someone who needs it.
A meal train is a great thing to set up for someone that’s going through a life changing moment. Especially something like a broken arm. They might not be able to cook for themselves as well as they usually do. So gathering support from their friends, family, and neighbors to form a meal train is a great idea. And to set one up you can use the platform Give InKind where you can create a page, set up a schedule and share to get meals to the person who needs it. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or groceries, a meal train is another great way to show you care.
All of these products and services are perfect to get someone with a broken arm, and spread kindness to others. Whether you go for something small or big, you helping out is just what they needed.
Facing loss is rough, but you’re not completely helpless when it comes to assisting someone you care about in processing it.
Loss is one of the worst things that anyone can have to deal with. And it is unfortunately a normal part of life, and something we all have to face at some point. When you see a close friend or family member struggling with loss, you probably wish that you could do something to help them.
You can never fix what happened or help your friend get automatically better, but you can get them a few things that will make this time for them just a bit easier. Even though you can’t personally take away their issues the way you would want to, lessening their burden just a bit by helping them relax will be a great help. You can make each day just a bit easier with a few helpful items.
There are many things you can get for a grieving person that can help them out on some level. Some things can always help you make things somewhat easier for your loved one and give them some relief in the midst of their grief. A meaningful gesture from someone who cares can really lift someone’s spirits even while they are going through the toughest of times. Certain gifts can help your loved one immensely as they work through their feelings of loss over their loved one. We’ve compiled a list of gifts that will really help someone in your life who is dealing with the pain of grief.
Gifts for someone who lost a loved one
When things are hard for someone you care about, you will want to make them feel better, and there are a few gifts you can get to do that. Loss is not something that is easy to handle, so your contribution can help a lot. From heavy blankets to massage tools, this list will help you make your loved one feel much more comfortable right now. Anything on this list is something your loved one will likely be very thankful you were thoughtful enough to get them.
Weighted Blanket
This blanket carries some comfortable weight. Image courtesy of Amazon.
A warm and cozy blanket can get someone through a lot of rough nights. A weighted blanket is designed to provide stress relief. It provides therapy by putting pressure on the body that induces calmness. The pressure makes you feel as if you’ve been hugged or swaddled.
If your loved one is feeling lonely and wants to feel embraced, a weighted blanket can make them feel hugged despite being in bed alone. They can use the blanket anywhere in their home when they want to feel some warm, comforting pressure. If you get someone a weighted blanket from Amazon, you can manage to find them in different sizes, styles, and colors. A struggling friend will get a lot of great use out of this exceptionally comfortable blanket.
Picture Frame
This vintage-style frame will serve as a gorgeous background for a great memory. Image courtesy of Art Gallery Frames.
When someone in your life has lost someone, memories are some of the only things they will have left of that person. Picture frames can help hold great memories that your loved one doesn’t want to forget. They might be spending lots of time dwelling on the person they once knew, so commemorating great moments with a picture frame can feel soothing in a way. With one or more really nice picture frames, your friend or family member can commemorate great memories or simply display a nice picture of the person they once loved.
Picture frames can make good pictures look even better. The type of frame you get for your friend can set a certain mood for the picture that’s put in it. The right frame will look great in your friend’s home and be enjoyable to look at. You should get the kind of frame that will suit their home and represents something about their deceased loved one. If they had loved boats, find a frame that is boat themed. If they loved the color red, try getting a red picture frame. There are so many options available to choose from when looking for a great frame.
Alexa
Alexa will do just about anything you ask. Image courtesy of Amazon.
When someone is grieving, they often have a hard time getting mundane things done. They will need a little help with very simple things sometimes. Alexa is a digital personal assistant that can do a number of useful things. It can play music, make to-do lists, set alarms, play audiobooks, play the news, and so much more. All someone has to do is use their voice and Alexa will answer and help them out with what they ask. Alexa responds to its name, so as long as your loved one calls out “Alexa,” they will have access to a number of useful things.
With Alexa, if your loved one even wants to call someone, all they have to do is use their voice, and that is a really convenient function for someone who is struggling. Alexa can even control the television and the lights, so a person can manage to take care of multiple things hands free. Alexa will also do Google searches for people. Your friend or family member won’t have to lift a finger if they don’t want to. They can leave that up to Alexa.
Back Massager
This device will have your back feeling loose without the help of anyone else. Image courtesy of Amazon.
Anything that can help your loved one relax in this tough time will be helpful in some way. One thing that can help them out physically is a back massager. Grief can take a physical toll on somebody, and a back massager can help to relieve some of their pain. It can reduce any stiffness or tension in the body, which is helpful when someone who has been tense for a while needs to get their body to feel better. When your friend is laying down in bed after having a long day, grabbing this back massager is something they’ll probably look forward to.
A back massager makes it so your loved one can take care of their aches and pains on their own without anyone’s assistance. One benefit of that is getting more rest. Your friend will need a lot of rest during this time, and any gift that can help them get it will make things just a bit easier to handle. Back massages can also increase blood flow and circulation, something that is beneficial for many reasons. Getting a massage even releases endorphins, which are known as a feel good hormone. It will be just what a grieving person will need to lift their spirits.
Every separate component will come together to make up a tasty and filling meal.
An amazing way to help someone out during a tough time is by setting up a meal train. A meal train is when a person’s friends or family prepares and delivers meals to them during times of need. Eating is something everyone has to do each day, and the process to prepare food can be time consuming and costly. It can take hours to plan and prepare a meal to enjoy, and that often isn’t a pleasant way for someone who is struggling to get through each day. Daily activities can feel like a burden when life is filled with hardships. A great thing you can do for a friend struggling with grief is set up a meal train.
A meal train can be helpful any time a friend or family member is having a hard time. And Give InKind is there to help you through the whole process of setting up a meal train for your loved one. Everything you need to set up a successful meal train can be found right on the website. You can create an InKind Page for your friend in only five minutes. And then you can share photos, food and delivery preferences, and much more.
You will need to write down your friend’s favorite meals on the InKind Page you’ve set up for them. Then anyone who wants to help out has to pick a meal and choose how they will have it delivered. They can choose to make and deliver it themselves, have it delivered by a restaurant. Either directly from the restaurant, via GrubHub, or by paying for a gift card from a specific restaurant.
Slow Cooker
This will make sure your food is fully cooked through and tender. Image courtesy of Walmart.
Whenever the meal train is over, your loved one is going to have to work on making food themselves. Grieving people can have a hard time taking care of themselves. Grief can take away motivation and the will to take care of themselves. That is why a slow cooker would make a great gift. With a slow cooker, your loved one can make easy meals without having to do much work for it.
When using a slow cooker, simply throw all the ingredients in and let the food cook for a few hours while you pay attention to something else. And after four, six, or eight hours, some delicious food will be ready to be enjoyed. Slow cooking makes meats really tender and makes sure flavors really meld together. So many great recipes for slow cooker meals can be found online. Having the ability to make food with minimal effort will make self-care so much easier during a depressing time period.
Scented candles
This scent will have someone in the mood to curl up on the couch. Image courtesy of Yankee Candle.
Scented candles can change the mood of a room and make people feel really comfortable and relaxed. There are candles you can find with all kinds of amazing scents. Each will have a different effect on a person when they light it up in their home. Some scents will make your friend feel more energized and some will help them feel more relaxed. Make sure to get them candles that can help them relax at this time.
One good place to get a candle from is Yankee Candle. Yankee Candle has every scent you can think of to have your friend’s place smelling great. They offer a variety of scents and sizes, so you can easily find something that your friend will really appreciate. They also offer personalized candles, signature candles, and original jar candles. If you really want to make the gift personal, customize a scent for your friend based on scents they love.
Some of the scents they offer include Twilight Tunes, Cucumber Mint Cooler, and Honeycomb among others. They also offer scents that don’t come as candles in case that is something your friend will prefer. You can get them room sprays or plug-ins.
Everyone could use a hand sometimes, especially when they are dealing with a tough loss. Suffering loss can drain someone of all their energy. Leaving them unable to do very much to take care of themselves. That’s why just any useful gift from you can make a pretty big impact. Let this list inspire you to help out your loved one in the best way that you can.
If you know someone who is going through a difficult time, you can support them by starting or participating in a meal train. Meal trains can be incredibly helpful for anyone who doesn’t have the time or energy to invest in cooking.
Grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking can start to feel like a massive burden if you’re going through a rough patch in life. By coordinating a meal train with friends and family, you can help ease the burden your loved one is facing.
In our latest article, we’re covering:
How to assemble a meal train
Top 7 meal train ideas
Bonus recipes for side dishes and desserts
How to Assemble a Meal Train
Is this your first time participating in a meal train? Make sure you read this.
Dishes that are easy to store and transport are great for meal trains.
People may set up a meal train for a number of reasons. Parents who have just welcomed a new baby into their lives can significantly benefit from a meal train. Someone who is recovering from an injury or illness may also need a little help with cooking and food arrangements.
Whatever the reason you may have for organizing a meal train, you can follow this simple guide to ensure its success.
Reach out to the person or their caregiver to offer your help and determine if there’s anything they need specifically.
Ask about meal preferences and dietary restrictions.
Select a date range for the meals.
Create a sign-up sheet and schedule for all volunteers using a free platform likeGive InKind.
Stay in touch with other volunteers and the recipient throughout the meal train process.
7 Delicious Meal Train Dishes
Great meal train recipes are easy to make, store, and transport.
Setting up a meal train is simple with free tools like Give InKind.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup has long been hailed as the ultimate comfort food, and it’s a wonderful choice for a meal train when supporting someone in need. This classic dish is not only delicious but also packed with nourishing ingredients that can provide much-needed comfort and healing. The warm broth helps soothe sore throats and provides hydration, while the chicken offers a good source of protein. The vegetables and noodles provide essential nutrients and contribute to a well-rounded meal. Whether the recipient is recovering from an illness, going through a challenging time, or simply in need of a warm and comforting meal, Chicken Noodle Soup offers a familiar and comforting taste that can bring both physical and emotional comfort.
Ground Beef Lasagna
Lasagna is a fantastic choice for a meal train when looking to provide a hearty and comforting meal. This classic Italian dish offers a delicious combination of flavors and textures that can bring comfort and nourishment to someone in need. Layered with pasta, flavorful meat or vegetable fillings, rich tomato sauce, and creamy cheese, lasagna provides a satisfying and complete meal. Its versatility allows for customization to accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions. Additionally, lasagna can be easily prepared in advance and reheated, making it convenient for both the recipient and the meal train organizers. Whether it’s to support a family during a challenging time or provide sustenance during recovery, a warm and comforting dish like lasagna can truly bring a sense of love and care to those who need it most.
Turkey Wraps
When it comes to providing a versatile and satisfying option for a meal train, Turkey Wraps are an excellent choice. These delightful handheld creations offer a combination of flavors, textures, and ingredients that can cater to various preferences and needs. Packed with lean, protein-rich turkey, fresh vegetables, and a variety of condiments, Turkey Wraps provide a wholesome and balanced meal. They are easily assembled with soft tortillas or wraps. Making them portable and convenient for individuals who may need to eat on the go or prefer a lighter option. Turkey Wraps provide a delicious and hassle-free solution that will definitely be appreciated during a meal train. Whether it’s for a busy parent, a recovering friend, or someone in need of a nutritious and flavorful meal.
Spaghetti & Meatballs
Spaghetti & Meatballs is a beloved and timeless classic that makes for a comforting and satisfying meal in a meal train. This hearty Italian dish consists of pasta, meatballs, and a savory tomato sauce that brings warm nostalgia to the table. Spaghetti & Meatballs is a crowd-pleaser that appeals to people of all ages, making it an excellent choice when providing a comforting meal for a family or individual in need. The combination of pasta and protein-packed meatballs offers a well-rounded and filling option. Additionally, it’s a dish that can be easily prepared in larger quantities. This makes it convenient for a meal train. Whether it’s to support a friend, lift the spirits of a loved one, or provide sustenance during a challenging time, Spaghetti & Meatballs brings not only nourishment but also a sense of home-cooked comfort to those who receive it.
Side Dishes
You can enhance your meal by adding some savory side dishes.
Side Dishes
Don’t forget to add some side dishes to complete the meal.
Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to comforting and versatile side dishes, Mashed Potatoes are a tried and true favorite. They can bring warmth and comfort to any meal train. These creamy and fluffy potatoes are a classic staple that pairs well with a wide range of main dishes. Mashed Potatoes offer a comforting taste and smooth texture that is both familiar and satisfying. They provide a source of carbohydrates, which can provide energy and comfort during times of need. Additionally, Mashed Potatoes are easy to prepare in large quantities, making them suitable for sharing and accommodating various group sizes. Mashed Potatoes are a comforting side dish that bring a sense of home-cooked warmth and nourishment to those in need. Whether it’s to complement a hearty roast, a comforting casserole, or a simple protein.
Roasted Vegetables
When providing a nutritious and flavorful side dish for a meal train, Roasted Vegetables are an excellent choice. This simple yet delicious preparation method brings out the natural flavors and textures of a variety of vegetables. This makes them a tasty and wholesome addition to any meal. Roasting vegetables enhances their sweetness and creates a satisfying caramelization that adds depth to their taste. Roasted Vegetables offer a vibrant and nutritious accompaniment. Whether it’s a medley of colorful bell peppers, hearty root vegetables, or seasonal favorites like Brussels sprouts or asparagus. Because they provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, they contribute to a well-rounded and balanced meal. Roasted Vegetables are a versatile and delicious and healthful option that bring a burst of flavor and or nourishment to a meal train.
Green Bean Casserole
This classic and beloved dish that brings comfort and a pop of green to any meal train. Combining tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions, creates a delightful medley of flavors and textures. The green beans offer a fresh and nutritious element, while the rich and savory mushroom sauce adds a satisfying creaminess. Topped with irresistibly crunchy fried onions, Green Bean Casserole provides a delightful contrast of textures. Its familiar and comforting taste makes it a favorite among both young and old alike. When served during holiday gatherings or as part of a comforting meal, Green Bean Casserole brings a sense of nostalgia and homestyle goodness to the table. It’s a perfect choice to add a touch of warmth and familiarity to a meal train. And offering a side dish this good will definitely be enjoyed and appreciated.
Now you have an idea where to start thinking of recipes for meal train.
A meal train is a great way to show support and provide practical help for a loved one in need. Ready to start a meal train? Visit Give InKind to get started today.
When a close friend or loved one falls ill, finding meaningful ways to show support and care can make a significant difference in their journey toward recovery. While kind gestures and thoughtful gifts may not heal them overnight, they can bring comfort, encouragement, and a much-needed boost in spirits. In this article, we explore various gift ideas and acts of service that you can consider to extend your heartfelt support to a sick friend. From practical and comforting items to acts of kindness that show you’re there for them, let’s discover the meaningful ways you can make a positive impact during their healing process.
In this article we’re going to cover:
Gifts for a sick friend to help them feel better
What to to get a sick friend to help pass the time
Enhanced support you can coordinate with your entire community
Gifts to help them feel better
Think of getting your sick friend some thoughtful gifts that will help them feel better fast
Receiving a get well soon care package is sure to help your friend feel a little better.
Everyone knows what it’s like to feel under the weather, and we can all agree that it’s no fun. That’s why when we know someone who has gotten sick we want to ensure they’re as comfortable as possible. Whatever their diagnosis, ensuring that their physical needs are met is very important. Consider giving any one of these options to your friend the next time they’ve come down with a sickness.
Care package
One of the nicest things you can do for your sick friend is send them a care package. There are all kinds of options out there readily available on sites like Etsy or from companies that specialize in gift baskets such as Harry & David. Whether you want to send them a care package that focuses on fruits, candy, tea, or snacks, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for.
Another way to send a care package is to assemble it yourself. While this involves a little more leg work, it also means it is customized to meet the needs of your friend. For a Get Well Soon care package, consider getting a few of their favorite items that you just know will make their day. Do they have a favorite soup? Grab a couple of cans or packets of that. Do you know they just love gummy bears? You can put those in as well. Consider putting in any of these items that will be sure to bring a smile to your loved one’s face:
Assorted fruits
Soups
Homemade bread and jam
Their favorite tea
Hot chocolate
Sweet snacks
Something salty to snack on like pretzels
Cookies
Nuts
You could also include a warm pair of socks, a new coffee mug, and a water bottle to round out the package. Anything that you think your friend would like and would make them feel even just a little bit better. Don’t forget to include a personal note that lets them know you’re thinking of them and hoping that they get well soon.
Warm robe, slippers, or blanket
When we’re sick, all we want to do is feel more comfortable!
One of the worst parts of being sick is how uncomfortable it makes us feel. Whether we’re coughing, have a scratchy throat, body aches, or a runny rose, being sick is hard. Because our bodies need all the strength they can get to fight off the illness, you want to make sure your friend is as physically comfortable as they can be. This means making sure they’re surrounded by soft things.
One of the most comforting gifts to give to a sick friend is a robe or a pair of slippers. There are all kinds of comfy robes and slippers out there, and we’re sure you’ll be able to find one that suits their personality. A lot of people may not even think to purchase themselves a robe or a pair of slippers, which is why they’d appreciate this thoughtful gift from a friend. If your friend is more of a sweatpants/pajamas/yoga pants person, you can always include a pair of those as well.
In addition, consider getting a soft fuzzy blanket, or a weighted blanket to help them calm down and stay relaxed. Weighted blankets are fantastic because their slight weight makes it almost feel as if your body is getting a hug. These blankets will help their bodies calm down and perhaps even sleep better at night, which is very important when you’re fighting an illness.
Another great soft and fuzzy gift that’s great for someone who is sick is a cute stuffed animal. Whether you want to give a simple bear, or want to pick up their favorite creature in stuffed form, we’re pretty sure no friend would say no to a soft item like this to squeeze.
Sick day essentials
Similar to a care package, you could also put together a sick day essentials package. For a friend suffering cold or flu, items you’d want to include:
Soft tissues
Cough syrup
Over the counter pain or fever reducers like Tylenol
Hot water bottle
Hand sanitizer
Neti pot for sinus relief
Lotion
These are items they may not have at home. Being the friend that brings over just what they need will bring them a big relief.
Gifts to help pass the time
Help keep their mind on something other than not feeling 100%
When you’re sick, rest is usually a top priority. Your body is fighting inflammation, which means you need lots of rest. But sometimes it can get boring just being by yourself all day. If you have a friend who’s sick, make sure you give them something to keep their minds busy so their bodies can heal.
Books
Some of the best gifts to give someone who suddenly has a lot more time on their hands are books. Whether you want to go out and pick up actual books, or send them over some digital ones to read on their tablet, books are such a great way to forget about being sick for just a little while. A good book can also make for a nice, gentle sedative. Choose a new book by their favorite author, or a new author in their preferred genre, or just ask them if there’s something they’ve been meaning to read. We suggest trying to keep it light (unless they specifically ask for a certain topic), because sometimes it’s hard for people who are sick to concentrate for long periods of time.
Head over to your favorite used book store and see what gems you can find hidden there that you know they would just love. You could also swing by your library and see what books are available there. Whether they like audio books, e-books, or hard copy books, we’re sure this gift would be very much appreciated.
Games
Another great way to occupy their minds while they’re sick is with some fun games. While you may not want to go over and play a board game with them if they’re still infectious, you could always give them games they can play on their own. Pick up a book of crosswords or sudoku, a puzzle, or check out what the most popular games are on the app store. Chances are they have a digital game they like to play on their phone. You could gift them the add-free version so they don’t have to worry about annoying ads as they play.
If you do want to give them a board game, set a date in the future when you both can play together, when neither of you are sick.
Subscriptions
Another great way to pass the time when you’re sick is catching up on your shows. If you know they have been meaning to watch a show on a platform they don’t have, why not purchase them a subscription? There are all kinds of options when it comes to streaming, so the chances are good they don’t have all the services yet. Consider picking them up a subscription so they can find their new favorite show, or rewatch a comfort series that might even make them feel just a little bit better.
You could send them a gift subscription to:
Netflix
Hulu
Amazon Prime
Max
Paramount+
Disney+
Peacock
And more.
Gifts to lift their spirits
Because it’s hard to feel your best when you’re sick.
Relaxing with a bath and candles may help your sick friend feel a little more like themselves.
You can get your friend gifts to make sure they’re comfortable, and you can also get them gifts to help the sick days go faster, but don’t forget about the types of gifts that can lift their spirits. It’s really easy to start to feel sorry for yourself when you’re sick. It seems like you’ll never get over feeling achy or congested, and it’s hard to put yourself in a better mood. If you know a sick friend who’s dealing with the blues, why not get them a little something that could lift their spirits?
Bath accessories, candles, or oil diffuser
Nothing feels quite as soothing as a long, warm bath when you’re sick. If your friend has been dealing with a case of the chills, you can give them a reason to take a nice warm bath with some awesome bath accessories. Consider picking them up some bath bombs that come in a variety of relaxing scents. You could look for ones that specifically target aches and pains or congestion, depending on what your friend is suffering from.
Scents like eucalyptus, mint, lemon, and lavender are all great ways to help both the mind and the body relax. In addition to bath bombs, you could include epsom salts, a sponge, and even lotion in their favorite scent to apply after the bath. Even when you’re sick, you’ve still got to make sure you’re taking proper care of your body, and a bath is a great place to start.
Candles and essential oil diffusers are also gifts that any sick friend would love to receive. There’s nothing better than hanging out at home with a wonderful scent in the air. Candles make us feel cozy, so perhaps try to get a warm scent like cinnamon, apple, or pumpkin. You can do the same with an oil diffuser as well. Keeping their place smelling lovely is a great way to help them relax, and realize that they will feel better soon.
One of the best ways to ensure your sick friend is getting all the vitamins and minerals they need to beat their sickness is to organize and set up a meal train. When you’re sick, the energy to cook and prepare food isn’t always available. Helping your sick friend stay fed and fueled on a regular schedule relieves them of the stress and responsibility, allowing them more energy to heal.
Sites like Give InKind make it incredibly easy to get started and set up a meal train for your sick friend. You can recruit friends and family members to help out and deliver homemade food right to your sick friend’s door. You can also pick up meals from their favorite restaurant and bring them over, which is a great way to raise their spirits. In addition to healthy and hearty meals, you can also sneak in a gift card or two to their favorite spots, or for meal delivery services like GrubHub or DoorDash.
What To Get A Sick Friend
It’s tough seeing your friend feel under the weather, but there are things you can do to help them get through their illness. Whether you send a care package, set up a meal train, or bring them books, they’ll definitely appreciate all your efforts.
Chemotherapy is rough, but you can make going through it a little easier.
Chemotherapy is a tough process for anyone to have to go through, and it can be hard to have to watch a loved one go through it. The treatment takes a huge toll on a person’s body, so if you know someone who is going through chemo, you could end up seeing them in the worst shape possible. Since chemotherapy uses really powerful drugs to kill fast growing cancer cells, it comes with many awful side effects that make a person feel bad overall. Someone going through chemotherapy will need as much rest as possible, along with some assistance to get by.
When someone is going through chemo, some common side effects will include pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and bruising. This is going to be an ordeal for your loved one to go through each day, and this is where you come in. When someone in your life is going through chemotherapy, you can help make some things a bit easier for them. Help them get through each day by helping them out with whatever you can. You can make sure they get some much needed rest.
Gifts for someone going through chemotherapy
Chemotherapy has major impacts on the body, so when you’re looking for gifts for someone in this situation, go for things that can provide them some comfort. Your loved one will likely need to spend a lot of their time resting, so get them a gift that will make that process a good one for them. Any of the items on this list will make rest time enjoyable for a chemotherapy patient.
Snacks
Quickly and efficiently hydrate and boost electrolyte with Pedialyte Freezer Pops. Image courtesy of Pedialyte
Chemotherapy can really destroy a person’s appetite. The treatment itself will keep a person from wanting to eat the way they should. Some reasons for that are the nausea and fatigue that come with it. And since someone in this position won’t be in the mood for full meals all the time, snacks can help hold them over for a while each day. When someone doesn’t have much of an appetite, a snack might be all they need to satisfy themselves.
When choosing snacks for someone in the middle of chemotherapy, you should go with snacks that have some health value to them. That way your loved one can get some much needed nutrients in his body despite eating very little. Ideally, they will be eating some full meals, but that simply won’t be possible all the time. Make sure to offer some alternative snack options like pretzels, crackers, and popcorn.
Blanket
When someone is going through chemotherapy, they will end up spending a lot of time in bed because of the constant fatigue they will likely feel. When choosing a blanket for them, you should make sure that it’s as comfortable as it can be. You can go with a weighted blanket, heated blanket, or any regular soft blanket. Go with something that you yourself would love the thought of sinking down into. With a weighted blanket, the purpose is to provide stress relief by putting pressure on the body, with a heated blanket, the point is to plug it in to give off warmth. Sometimes those extras are great, and sometimes they aren’t necessary and a regular blanket works just fine.
When someone isn’t feeling well on a daily basis, they might feel the urge to rest when they are just about anywhere. Since they’ll be spending the most time at home, those resting spaces might end up being the playroom, the living room, or even the porch. Get them the type of blanket they will feel comfortable using anywhere. The more blankets they have available at any moment, the better. You can even make sure to get them a really fun blanket that will brighten up their space even during this tough time.
Streaming Service Subscription
When someone will be spending each day at their house for the foreseeable future, they will be really in need of some entertainment. This situation is the perfect recipe for boredom, and even if someone feels emotionally unwell, they are going to need something to distract them from all the downtime. A streaming service can keep someone entertained for a month or more, depending on how long you’d like to continue paying for it. You can get them a gift card worth a few months worth of television.
When you get someone a streaming service, make sure to get them one that they don’t already have access to. There are so many of them to choose from, just ask your friend which services they already subscribe to and go with something that isn’t on their list that has great options for viewing. You can go with Hulu, Paramount+, Netflix, Max, or another option.
Board Games
Board games are another thing that a chemo patient can use to distract themselves. This is the type of gift that you should make sure you are there for sometimes so that they have someone to play the game with. Look for the types of games that they can play on their own if possible, and also look for a game that they can enjoy playing with others. And then come over whenever you have some free time to play it with them!
It might sound difficult to find board games that can be played solo, but it is actually very possible. You can find several board games your friend can set up and play on their own at home whenever you aren’t around. Some single player board games include Mage Knight and Dune: Imperium.
Books
Books are great for entertainment when someone will be spending a lot of time alone in their home. A really good book can keep someone’s mind occupied for a while even while they are going through something rough. A single book can last a person for days, weeks, or even months depending on how often someone is reading. And books can be quite cheap, so you can easily provide lots of written entertainment for a very low price.
Ask your friend what types of books they like best and go looking for books that fit their criteria. Wherever you go to get books, you will have loads of options, whether you go to Barnes & Noble, Kindle Books, or a secondhand bookstore. Any bookstore you happen across will likely have all the genres you can hope to choose from. And you’ll have many different eras of books to choose from. Bestseller lists can also help to give you lots of ideas. It’s not a bad idea to go with books that are currently popular.
Pillow
Someone spending all their time in bed should have access to the softest pillows they can have. You can help them find just that. Make sure to get them the types of pillows that they can happily sink their heads into each night, and all day if they need to. Being in bed all day long can make people feel uncomfortable. Really soft pillows will make them feel better even when their bodies are tired of staying in bed.
There are many stores you can go to in order to get the softest pillows you can find. Since pillows are so small, you can get multiple and have them fit perfectly well on your loved one’s bed. It should be a pillow that will feel comfortable whether it’s under their legs, their head, or their back. However long they need to be in bed each day, these pillows should make it a good experience. You can also get them some great pillowcases for the pillows.
Slippers
Warm slippers are necessary for someone who will be spending all day in bed. They will need to get up from time to time, and for that they need really comfortable footwear. Someone going through chemotherapy is likely to be sensitive and deal with bruising, so they need a pair of slippers with thick and soft soles. That way they can easily walk over hard or cold floors without facing any issues.
Socks
A pair of warm socks will also be a helpful gift during this time. When someone is sick and feeling sensitive, they are likely to get cold more easily than the average person. Socks will keep their feet warm while they are lying in bed and will also keep their feet warm whenever they step on the ground for a second before stepping into their slippers.
Bathrobe
A bathrobe will keep a chemo patient warm and comfortable while they relax around the home all day. A bathrobe will make everything more comfortable. Whether someone is lying on their couch or sitting in the kitchen, a robe will be keep them warm. A thick and fluffy bathrobe can make a great replacement for every outfit. Extended stays at home are more comfortable when one doesn’t have to wear outside clothes.
Pajamas
A pair of pajamas will be a good outfit to accommodate lots of lounging. Sleeping is one of the activities they will be doing the most right now. A pajama set will make a really good gift. Look for something roomy and soft so that it feels good against their skin while they move around. Find a pair of pajamas with fun patterns on them that anyone you give it to will love.
Skin care
Someone going through chemotherapy will benefit from some really good skin care. Chemotherapy gives a person extremely dry skin, so they will need some moisturizing lotion to fix things. Make sure to get him a bottle of really moisturizing lotion that they can use daily. It should also be either unscented or mild because of their sensitive skin and sense of smell.
Lip Balm
Lip balm will help them out whenever their lips are chapped. That way their lips won’t end up cracking throughout the day.
When someone is going through chemotherapy, their appetite and energy levels can get in the way of them feeding themselves. Chemotherapy makes people feel weak and fatigued. On top of that, the loss of appetite will make it difficult for themselves to prepare meals. It would be really helpful for you to take over this responsibility. This means you can guarantee they will be getting all the nutrients they need on a regular basis. This is why you should use Give InKind to set up a meal train.
A meal train is a support effort for when someone in your life isn’t able to prepare food for themselves. To set up a meal train you will need to get a few friends or family together to help you. You will get together to prepare and deliver meals to someone you all care about and want to help. Someone going through chemotherapy will need light and nutritious foods. They need all the nutrients they can get and they need in light packages so they can hold it down. Soup is always a good option for someone without much of an appetite.
Super Power Your Meal Train with Give InKind
Give InKind will be there to help you through every part of the process when you set up a meal train through their website. They are always available with just a few clicks whenever you need this kind of assistance. They have everything you need on their website. You can create an InKind Page for someone in only five minutes. Write down some of your loved ones favorite meals there and get to work on making them. Helpers just select a meal and then decide how it will be delivered. They can choose to make and deliver it themselves. They can have it delivered by a restaurant on GrubHub. Or they can pay for a gift card from a specific restaurant or delivery service.
Going through chemotherapy is an extremely difficult process that makes a big change to someone’s life. It can be painful to watch someone you love go through that. These are a few things you can do to make it better for them. Consider using Give InKind to coordinate and organize an entire wave of support and gifts from your whole community.
No one ever wants to hear the words from their doctor indicating that they have cancer. The second most common form of cancer in men (especially those over the age of 65) is prostate cancer. While rare in men under 40, this type of cancer is typically diagnosed around age 66, meaning that there is a greater likelihood that your loved one is around this stage of their life. Cancer is difficult to endure at any age, but when you’re older, it may take a greater toll on both the physical and mental health of the men going through it.
While you can’t magically wish the cancer away from your friend or loved one, you can be there to show your support during this difficult time. But how can you let them know you’ve got their back and you’re ready to help in any way that they might need?
We have some amazing ways you can show your support to someone with prostate cancer including:
Practical items that can make their lives easier
Ways to help them feel seen and supported emotionally
Supporting someone with prostate cancer with practical items
There are all kinds of ways you can help your loved one through this journey
If someone in your life iss going through prostate cancer, it can be hard to figure out exactly what you’re supposed to do. Depending on the patient’s relationship to you, you’ll want to find ways that you can show your support, whether that’s helping them with rides to the doctor, taking them out to lunch, or just coming over to do a puzzle. We have a few suggestions to get you started, and as your loved one’s journey continues, you’re sure to find new ways you can offer your time and energy to them.
Support the person in your life who is dealing with prostate cancer in a few practical ways. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Offer to help out
One of the most practical ways you can help out your friend or family member is to offer tangible support. Most men pride themselves on taking care of their home, and like to ensure home projects and home chores are done in a timely manner. If they’re dealing with prostate cancer, this can make even regular home maintenance difficult.
Whether they’re fatigued from treatment or medication, they may have a list of things that need to get done, but they just haven’t had the time or energy to complete. This is where you can really help them out. Offer to get certain things done, such as weekly cleanings of their space, mowing the lawn and trimming hedges, taking their car for service, watching their pets, or arranging for professionals to come and complete larger tasks. It’s hard to not be able to care for where you live, which can be frustrating to your loved one. They want to keep their space looking good like they always have, and this one way you can show your support.
Additionally, you could also arrange to help out with weekly shopping trips, getting items delivered, or even picking up prescriptions from the pharmacy.
Offer to accompany them to any doctor’s appointments they might have so you can be there to ask questions and take notes as well. Sometimes it’s hard to remember everything your doctor may have said, but with a friend at the appointment too, your loved one will feel more relaxed knowing they don’t have to do everything.
Another extremely helpful way to assist someone going through a prostate cancer diagnosis is with a meal train. These are organized on sites like Give InKind that make it easy for a community of people to show their support to someone going through a difficult time. You can easily create a page and share with loved ones via text, email, or even on their social media platforms. Once there is a good group of people, the members will then decide on a day that they would like to bring over a healthy, home cooked (or store bought) meal.
When someone is dealing with cancer, it may be hard for them to get the vitamins and minerals their body needs because they just don’t feel like going grocery shopping, let alone cooking. Meal trains can take that task off their plate. It’s easy to see who is bringing what on what day, that way there aren’t any repeats or you end up with too many people who deliver something on the same day.
Meal trains can go on for a few weeks, or as long as you think the recipient needs it. In addition to bringing over yummy meals for them to enjoy, you can also send over gift cards. Grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, or meal delivery services are great gift card ideas.
Recommend a support group
Knowing that there are other people dealing with prostate cancer can be a big help. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
There are support groups for lots of illnesses, including prostate cancer. The truth is we don’t understand exactly because we’re not the ones dealing with the diagnosis. However, by joining a support group for those men dealing with prostate cancer, they may find some solace hearing other people’s stories and experiences.
In a group setting, they will be encouraged to listen and only share if they’re comfortable. They may meet new people who they can develop friendships with as they’re going through the treatment of their cancer. Making the effort to find a community where they can speak, learn, and feel all that they’re feeling is a positive way to tackle this disease.
Books or positive sayings
One practical item that a lot of people turn to when they’re dealing with an illness are inspirational or informational books. When fighting an illness, we want to stay informed. What better way to do that than from experts or others who have gone through the process before? If you want to make sure your loved one is getting the right information that they need for a prostate cancer diagnosis, consider picking up some books that could help them along the way.
Prostate Cancer Survivorship, by Sanchia S. Goonewardene, Raj Persa
Prostate Cancer: Armed and Ready, Don Kaltenbach
Dr. Patrick Walsh’s Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer, by Patrick Walsh, MD
In addition to these informative books, you might want to consider getting them a book that uplifts their spirit. This could be something that include spositive affirmations, or speaks to their specific religion. Positive sayings or nice quotes that can help them feel better about themselves are also a good item to get. Whether it’s a wall hanging you can put up where they’ll see it often, or something they can put on a shelf or nightstand. Seeing those positive words and knowing they came from a loved one can make a bad day, just a little bit better.
Comforting items
There are comfort-boosting gifts you can find for your loved ones to make their day better. They may be small things, but when they are given from the heart, they mean all the more. Consider picking up a few items for your friend or family member:
Socks or slippers
A neck pillow
A robe
Comfortable lounge clothing
Unscented lotion
Water bottle
Weighted blanket
Journal
Earphones
Herbal tea and a mug
If you want to get a few of these items, why not turn it into a care package? Include some of their favorite snacks like chips, popcorn, or candy, as well as some healthy fruit as well. Tea and coffee are always welcomed in care packages too.
How to help those with prostate cancer emotionally
You can also show your support by helping your loved one emotionally
Your time and presence can be very important to your loved one with prostate cancer. Make sure you’re reaching out to them and arranging to spend time with them when you can! Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Although there are plenty of practical ways to show your support for a cancer patient, there are also less tangible ways you can be there through this difficult time. If you’re at a loss on where to start or what to say, we understand. When you’re just starting out, it can feel a little overwhelming. Both for the person with cancer and those taking care of them. Here are a few ways you can try and help emotionally when it comes to supporting your loved one with prostate cancer.
Give them your time
This is one of the best ways you can let them know you want to be part of this journey. Spending time together is a great way to show them you want to keep them in your life, no matter what comes their way. Getting a cancer diagnosis can be very scary, and they may not know where exactly to turn to next. Showing up and offering to take them to appointments or organize their medications shows you’re there for them.
Giving your time doesn’t mean you have to always talk to them about cancer, or how their treatments are going. Talk to them about something else, or ask them what they’d like to talk about. If they are a sports fan, consider asking about their favorite team. Better yet, sit and watch a game with them. If they had a hobby or were working on a craft, you can also ask them how that’s progressing. The key here is to make yourself available by reaching out to them.
They may be feeling pretty lonely at this point and don’t know how to fix it. You can make a world of difference by being the one that contacts them and spends time with them.
Listen
All too often we want to bring our own opinions or recommendations into the conversation. Especially if it’s in regards to something we really want to help with. When it comes to cancer, you don’t know how the other person feels exactly. So you don’t need to offer suggestions on what they should do. Instead focus on listening to them, without judgment and without interrupting when they want to talk about things. Encourage them and let them know you’re there to listen, but don’t force them to talk about it.
Some people feel more comfortable keeping some things private. But with time they may choose to open up to you later. This could really help them out emotionally.
Stay in communication
Staying in touch is an essential part of helping out someone with prostate cancer. We all have busy schedules. Making sure you stay in contact with your loved one can really make them feel like they’re important. It doesn’t have to be long or drawn out, and you don’t have to send them something every day. Just make sure you’re checking in with:
Emails
Quick 5 minute calls
Texts (including sending funny memes or videos)
Cards
Knowing you’re thinking about them goes a long way. When you’re in contact, you can schedule a time to visit or do something together.
There are all kinds of ways to help someone you love with prostate cancer. Make sure you consider doing some of the things on this list today.
One of your parents is really struggling right now, but you can help alleviate that.
Dementia is not an easy disease to deal with, especially when the person suffering from it is your parent. You don’t ever want to see your parents struggle, and you would hate to see them forget the important parts of their life, but all you can do is support them through it. Your mom or your dad will be having a really hard time while dealing with this illness, so you should be there for them as much as you can. Do whatever you can to make them feel comfortable during this difficult time. Perhaps even a gift for parent with dementia.
This issue may have you feeling absolutely powerless, but you can always do little things to help. You can’t get rid of the disease yourself, but you can always make things somewhat easier for your parents to deal with. As your mom or dad struggles with this illness, some small gestures can make them feel better by letting them know you care and want them to be happy. You should look towards getting them a gift that makes their days go by easier and a lot more comfortably.
Gift for parent with dementia
A gift can make anyone feel better, even when things are hard. Dementia isn’t an easy illness to go through, but you can do what it takes to help out. Anything on this list is something your mom or dad will be very grateful for.
Watch
This will be stylish as well as functional. Image courtesy of Amazon.
A watch is a gift that will be really helpful for someone with dementia. Your mom or dad might have more of an issue keeping up with the time at this point, so a watch is very necessary. Make sure to get a watch that is easy to read so that they can always look down at their arm and remind themselves of the time whenever they need. Something simple that still looks good is best for this gift. It’s something they should be able to wear every day, so it should look good with every outfit. Neutral colors will work best for an everyday watch.
This watch from Amazon would make a very useful gift. Black goes with everything and won’t clash with any future outfits your mom or dad might wear. A watch will go a really long way towards making sure each day goes as planned when your parents are having a tough time keeping track because they frequently forget what time it is.
A calendar is something that can really help your mom or dad keep track of each day. Whenever they forget what day it is, they just have to look to the calendar to figure it out. If they cross out each previous day whenever they wake up, the days will be even easier to track. They can also easily write down key words on certain days just to make sure they will remember when they look at the calendar.
This is something that can make the life of someone with dementia so much easier. It can eventually become a habit for your mom or dad to walk straight to the calendar once they wake up so they can figure out how to go about planning their day. And make sure to help them put it in a prominent spot in the house where they will be sure to notice it.
Clock
This clock clearly displays time, date, weather, and other vital reminders. Image courtesy of Amazon
A clock is also a great gift to get for your struggling parent. A watch is helpful for when they are out, and a wall clock is good for them to have in the house. Your mom or dad will still need to keep track of time even while they are in the house, so they need to have a clock hanging where they can see it. You need to get them a clock that is easily readable and also great looking so that it looks good hanging on the wall. When it comes to picking out a wall clock, you can go with something fun that both your parents will enjoy looking at. Get something that will draw their eyes toward it.
Consider a clock specifically created for memory care and dementia, like this one from Amazon. It displays the time, date, weather, and important reminders like Drink Water, Wash Hands, Take Medication… All without any confusing abbreviation, so your parent can establish themselves in time just by reading it.
Planner
This planner has room for so many details. Image courtesy of Amazon.
A planner is one of the best gifts you can give to someone with dementia. They may not have thought of it on their own, but once they have it, they may realize just how necessary it is. A planner gives a person daily and weekly room to write down in detail the things they need to do. Writing short notes on a calendar is definitely helpful, but having a planner allows a person to go even more in depth with the details. A planner can easily work side by side with the wall calendar and make responsibilities easier to manage.
This should be a planner that is small enough for your mom or dad to carry whenever they might need it, and large enough so that they can easily write and read from the planner. Every planner is laid out differently, so you should make sure to get a planner that lays everything out in a way you feel will work best for you mom or dad. When they are able to write down some details about the things they need to do whenever plans come up, they will have a much easier time keeping up with commitments than they would have on their own.
Alexa
This simple device can do so much. Image courtesy of Amazon.
Since you have a parent that is losing their memory, you probably worry that they don’t have enough help with getting through each day. Alexa is a digital personal assistant that can offer your mom or dad help in certain times of need. This probably isn’t something they are used to using, but over time they will likely end up getting used to it and appreciate the benefits they offer. All they have to do is call Alexa’s name, and Alexa will respond and be ready to help with a technological need.
With Alexa, if your mom or dad wants to call you, all they have to do is call Alexa’s name and tell Alexa to call you. They can also have Alexa control the television, make video calls, and more. Alexa will help your parents find out the weather reports, read audiobooks, and answer any questions they might have. Alexa can serve as a personal Google. Your parents won’t even have to pull out their phone or their laptops to search up certain information. All they have to do is call Alexa and mention what they want.
Bathrobe
This will make home feel like a spa. Image courtesy of Amazon.
A bathrobe will keep your mom or dad super comfortable. Whether they are coming out of the shower or just lounging around the house, a bathrobe will make the whole experience even more comfortable than before. You need to get something thick and fluffy for maximum comfort. When someone isn’t feeling well, they will usually need a lot of rest, and your mom or dad probably really needs some rest right now. Getting them something really cozy to lounge in will only make the rest process even easier.
Your mom or dad will feel so good lying around the house in a fluffy robe. It will feel so good for them to lounge around and read, watch TV, or even fall asleep while wearing a robe. You can find a large robe in your mom or dad’s favorite color and let them enjoy it.
Slippers
Cozy feet can make someone’s whole body feel relaxed. Image courtesy of LL Bean.
When making sure your mom or dad feels more comfortable, you should also think about their feet. A nice pair of warm slippers can make it more comfortable for your parents to walk around their house as they go about their day. If someone has cold feet, they likely aren’t feeling very relaxed. Warm slippers will keep your mom or dad’s feet snug and cozy as they walk across hard floors.
You can have some fun while buying a pair of slippers for your mom or dad. You can go with a pair that’s more classic or you can go with something more wild and fun. Whatever you think your mom or dad will like the most, get it for them and watch them sashay around their home even more comfortably than they did before.
Healthy meals keep everyone functioning their best. Image courtesy of Whole Foods.
Your parents have cooked for you for so long, and now it’s time to return the favor. Setting up a meal train for your parents is something that will be a big help to them. A meal train involves a person’s friends or family preparing and delivering meals to them during times of need. Eating is something everyone has to do each day, and the process to prepare food can be time consuming and costly. It can take hours to plan and prepare a meal to enjoy, and that often isn’t a pleasant way for someone who is struggling to pass their time, especially when they have a tough time even remembering to cook. Any daily activity can feel like a burden when life isn’t necessarily going too well, even when it’s a chore someone usually enjoys.
One of the best ways to help a parent who is suffering through dementia is to set up a meal train so that you can ease some of their burdens. Give InKind is there to help you the whole way through setting up a meal train for your parents. They are there for all of life’s most challenging moments. Everything you need to set up a successful meal train can be found right on their website. You can create an InKind page for your friend in only five minutes. And then you can share photos, food and delivery preferences, and much more.
GiveInKind will help facilitate the whole process. You can write down your parents’ favorite meals on the InKind Page you’ve set up for them. All anyone who wants to help out has to do is pick a meal and choose how they will have it delivered. They can choose to make and deliver it themselves, have it delivered by a restaurant on GrubHub, or pay for a gift card from a specific restaurant.
Framed Photographs
These frames can upgrade any photograph. Image courtesy of Antiques.
A photograph or a few will make a great gift for a parent suffering through dementia. Pictures are important memories, especially for a parent with dementia. You can help by framing the best pictures of you together. You can help remind them by framing some of the best pictures you have of you all together. They might not remember some of their fondest moments with their family.
Having some memorable moments framed so they can’t completely forget it will mean a lot to them. They can always glance at them whenever they need to feel some comfort and joys.
Your parents are some of the most important people in your life, and when one of them gets dementia, it can hurt everyone. No one wants the people they made the strongest memories with to forget them over time, but you will have to find ways to cope. You will especially want to help them through this difficult time. It will be upsetting to experience your parent losing their memory, but they are having a much harder time with it. So consider gifting them something to help make life a bit easier to manage.
I used the Care Calendar to set up twice daily check-ins. Friends would text or facetime at the time they signed up for. They would make sure I was on schedule with my medicine and staying hydrated. We would chat a bit then I would go back to resting. It was a really reassuring feeling to know I was not alone in keeping track of my vital post-surgical care. And that my wife could focus on work and not also trying to track my schedule during the day.
I know myself. And thanks to taking a moment to consider what I might need help with before going into a challenging situation, and thanks to being proactive enough to share those needs with some willing helpers, I actually spent that crucial first week post-surgery thriving. The old me would have quickly fallen behind on medicating and hydrating. I would have wallowed in the discomfort and not felt motivated to do much about it.
