Nothing feels as good as helping someone, as here's a clearcut way you can do it.This is from my personal point of view, having just broken my ankle, but what other point of view is there? People have offered to do every one of these things for me, and I’m so grateful and will be passing it on. I should preface this with
fact that I’ve offered people help from time-to-time who’ve declined, and that’s fine too. Better to over-offer than to under-offer.
These things are particularly important in beginning when pain is worst, but then how are you going to going what stage they’re in?
1.It’s a problem of getting from one place to other.
Offer to do anything that will save person steps. Moving on crutches is more tiring than it looks. Not only is it involving muscle groups in new ways, there is pain, and, as you know, pain is exhausting. Offer to sign them in, get them a cup of coffee, pick something up off floor for them, get them seconds, give them closest seat, bring phone to them.
2. Hands are on crutches. Hands are therefore not free to do anything else.
The first thing you learn when you’re on crutches is that you’re finally there and you can’t take it back with you! (Thus you start wearing things with pockets.) You can help by opening doors, offering to carry things, press elevator buttons, put things in bags for them with handles they can drape over their arm. Offer to carry it to car for them. Open car door for them when you get there.
3. Balance is precarious.
Ask how you can help, don't just rush in. Then listen. A strong arm is very useful to lean on and far more reliable than a crutch. Grip person in way you feel most secure and rely on some guidance from them at same time.
4. Offer to run errands for them. Any and everything.
If you're going out, give them a call. A simple, "I'm going to grocery, need anything?" is all it takes. If they live alone, imagine how helpful this is. If they live with another or others, workload has still been increased significantly on all concerned and their lives have been disrupted.
