Life gets a lot harder when you’re dealing with a personal injury. Doing things like cooking dinner, picking up the kids from school, and getting to doctor’s appointments can feel nearly impossible.
It can be depressing too. It’s normal for someone to feel down when they can no longer do the things they used to be able to do.
Don’t let your friend deal with a personal injury alone. There are things you can do to be there for them as they adjust to life with an injury.
Help Them Find And Talk To An Attorney
It’s easy to lay in bed, binge TV shows, and watch the world pass you by when you’re dealing with an injury, but if your friend was injured at work or due to someone else’s negligence, they need to speak with an attorney.
Make it easier by working together to find a lawyer. Help them find the answers to their questions, like how to claim your rightful economic damages and how much it costs to hire an attorney. Reassure them that they deserve to receive a settlement, even if they feel like they are at fault.
Then, lend an ear throughout the process. It’s normal to be nervous as their case unfolds, but the stress and anxiety can be more easily managed when they have a friend to talk to about it.
Go With Them To Doctor’s Appointments And Physical Therapy
A lot of people experience anxiety at the thought of having to go to the doctor, but if your friend is injured, it’s important that they go. Check in with them about their next appointment and ask if they would like you to go with them.
It’s also important that they go to physical therapy. Even if you just drop them off and pick them up, having someone there to encourage them to go may be all they need to continue prioritizing their recovery, even if they would rather stay at home.
Create A Sustainable Dinner Plan
Getting dinner on the table can be hard with an injury. It’s especially hard if they have a family to feed. Bringing over dinner can be helpful, but it’s even better if you can come up with a sustainable dinner plan that works over a longer period of time.
You can use an app like Meal Train to create a schedule for friends and family to bring dinner over each and every night.
You might also find a way to make it easier for them to prep their own food. For example, you might head to the grocery store and get stuff to make sandwiches, or you might chop up vegetables that they can throw into a stew later in the week.
Be The Point Of Contact For Others
It’s nice when people check in while you’re recovering, but it can also be overwhelming. Receiving multiple phone calls and text messages is the opposite of restful, which is exactly what they should be doing if they’re recovering after an injury.
Help out by offering to be the point of contact for others who want to check in. You can give updates and coordinate ways for others to help so your friend doesn’t have to do it while they’re supposed to be resting.
Give A Thoughtful Gift
Gifts are a wonderful way to show someone that you’re thinking about them. Things like balloons and flowers are always appreciated, but if you really want to show you care, a more thoughtful gift is in order.
A few thoughtful gift ideas for a friend who is recovering from a personal injury include:
- Slippers with open backs that can easily be slipped off and on
- A cozy throw blanket for snuggling on the couch
- Gift cards to delivery services, like Instacart and DoorDash
- Amazon Echo Dot that can help them control electronics without having to get up
- A self-care kit with hair ties, dry shampoo, and lip balm
- An adjustable laptop stand for the bed or couch
- A gift basket filled with books, magazines, and crosswords
Be Specific About Exactly How You Would Like To Help
It can be extremely difficult to ask for help. That’s why most people don’t do it. It’s almost a sure thing that they won’t actually let you know if they need help, even if you tell them to let you know what you can do.
It’s a lot easier to accept help when it’s offered, so get specific about exactly how you would like to help.
For example, tell them that you would like to pick up the kids from school on certain days, or that you’d like to stop by over the weekend and mow the lawn. Be specific about what you want to do and when you want to do it. When all your friend has to do is say yes, they’re more likely to let you help.
Do Something Fun
There is a lot for your friend to figure out when they’re recovering from a personal injury. It’s easy for them to spend their days scheduling appointments, figuring out meal times, and trying to do chores, and they often do it by themselves, which means loneliness is common.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for a friend who is recovering from a personal injury is to do something fun together!
You don’t have to leave the house either. There are a lot of great ideas for a night in that will get them laughing and smiling, which may be exactly what they need.
It can be hard to deal with a personal injury, but it can be hard to help a friend deal with a personal injury too. There’s no need to do everything on this list, but hopefully it gets you thinking about ways you can help. Run a few of these ideas by your friend and you can decide together how you can help them while they recover.
