Ways to help someone seriously ill

[ttfn3]

We recently found out the our son's soccer coach is undergoing some very serious health problems. He's a single Dad with 2 young children. Everyone is pulling together to try to help him during this difficult time. Besides taking monetary donations, we all really want to help in with the day to day stuff. We're planning to prepare meals for his family, and to help watch the kids if needed. Does anyone else have any ideas of things we could do? If you provided meals to someone in this situation, what was the best received ideas?

 

[lovemygoofy]

Great thing you are doing. Do you know how many people are wanting to help and how many actually will help with doing things besides contributing money?

After you have a head count of active people, get a rotation schedule together of when people are avilable for child sitting, make a schedule of whom is doing meals for what day/night and I would also do a schedule to help with housework if possible.

Make up all these schedules and distribute them out to everyone involved including the coach but first make sure that the coach is open to all this help because some people are very private about their illness and their family.

 

[LindaR]

Maybe folks could chip in for a weekly cleaning service.........the housework still has to be done during times like this.

As far as food......make it very simple things that can easily be rewarmed. Maybe bring disposable plates, cups, silverware......so there are no dishes to wash.

Grocery shopping is very helpful, too.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Maybe folks could chip in for a weekly cleaning service.........the housework still has to be done during times like this.

As far as food......make it very simple things that can easily be rewarmed. Maybe bring disposable plates, cups, silverware......so there are no dishes to wash.

Grocery shopping is very helpful, too.

The housecleaning would be awesome... I know it's something that I would love.

 

[mickeyboat]

With meals, bring something that can be frozen and reheated in case they aren't able to eat it the same day you bring it. Also, bring it in disposable containers, so they don't have to worry about getting them back to you.

With kids, invite them to your house, offer to shuttle them to activities, help them keep their lives as normal as possible. Explain the situation as best you can to your own children, so they know why their friends might be acting strangely, and tell your kids their friends may need a shoulder to cry on.

Help by providing other necessities besides food. It will probably be hard for the father to get to the store for paper towels, toilet paper, snacks, etc. When my MIL passed away, DH's cousin brought over a huge package of TP. Sounds strange, but with so many people staying at the house and visitors being in an out, you use up a lot of that stuff.

So kind of you to want to help someone in need. I am sure he and his family will appreciate it.

Denae

 

[Goofyluver]

I like helping with house cleaning or hiring someone to come in and clean. Providing meals and also gift certificates to local restaurants. In addition, what about buying basic supplies for the house...paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, milk, bread, etc. During difficult times, it's also important to have fun! What about bringing in rented movies for the family, or buying some board games. What a wonderful thing you all are doing.

 

[Pigeon]

When I went through a battle with breast cancer, my colleagues contributed to getting a cleaning service. That was incredibly thoughtful and helpful.

I also agree that offering to help with child care and taking the children to activities would be great. The more you can keep the children's routines intact, the better.

Thank you for being such a good friend.

 

[ttfn3]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I like the idea of a cleaning service. Keep the ideas coming!

 

[LindaM]

If anything needs fixing around the house/yard maybe some of the men can get involved and do the little things that we all seem to put off...this will get some of the guys in the community involved. Years ago when I first started my job, there was a lady who worked here who's husband was dying of cancer, he wanted to pass away at home, before he was scheduled to come home about 30 co-workers went to their house (they gave her 2 days notice, so it wasn't a total shock) and did all the fixup's that was needed. She said her husband was releived knowing that she didn't have to worry about all the little things that needed fixing and he didn't get around too.

 

[pjb_hockey_mom]

I would suggest a cleaning service that also does laundry, help strip and change the bed linnens, etc.

 

[lindakmonty]

When my ds was born my sil brought me a casserole that was big enough to eat on several times. It was so nice!!

you have some great suggestions given!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Something else for the kids....
I know people have mentioned food items and that is great for when they are eating at home - dinner, nights, weekends type stuff. You could also make up zip lock baggies of snacks so that they can just grab & go for school, juice boxes to add to lunch boxes, and other quickie lunch time foods that the kids might enjoy - lunchables, crustables, or just products to make their lunches - pb&j (NOT Peter Pan ), etc.

I also 2nd maybe a trip to a bulk store for paper goods, and basics like soap, shampoo, etc.

Another idea: maybe compile a phone list of people the dad can call when he needs something - separate the list by tasks - shopping call Mary, Joe, Sue, cleaning call...., pick up the kids, someone to talk to, etc. Or you could just make a list with names & phone numbers of people willing to just help out night or day, no tasks assigned.

 

[aprilgail2]

A place like Super Suppers is a great place to make and package meals for the family, you can break it in half and have 2 meals for 3 people for each one you buy. They freeze great and come with directions for cooking, nice and simple.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Listen to him. Be there for when he needs to talk. His life is undergoing a HUGE change and he's going to be scared. Have someone do massage on his hands and feet if it is permitted, the sensation of touch, no matter how minor is healing to the body.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

i haven't read all the posts, but wanted to add that our church group would give out a lot of meals that could be frozen. Sometimes people (like me) couldn't bring a hot meal over right at supper time or the receiving family might get too much at once so freezing was necessary. Breakfast foods are nice to give too. Casseroles, muffins, breads.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How ill is he? Can he eat reg. food? Perhaps include "sick" food...along with reg. meals for the family.