You probably wish that all of your friends were in good health, but this simply might not be the case. You might have a close friend who suffers from a private medical issue, and you could be wondering if there is anything that you can do to help them out. This can be tricky, but these tips should help point you in the right direction.

Ask About the Help They Want

First of all, you shouldn’t be afraid to simply ask your friend about the type of help that they want. They might want someone who is willing to talk to them about their health issues, or they might prefer to just have a supportive friend who will talk to them about other things. They might want help with things that you haven’t even thought about. Don’t be afraid to ask your friend about what kind of help they want and to ask them occasionally if there are any adjustments that you can make.

Offer to Perform Favors

In many cases, people who suffer from medical issues can really benefit from small favors. Providing babysitting services on a day when your loved one isn’t feeling well, hitting a drive-through or cooking them a meal so they don’t have to stand in front of the stove, or picking up their medication from the pharmacy for them are all things you can do to help out. You can ask about favors that your loved one might need help with, or you can simply volunteer to do things that you think might help make their life a little easier during this difficult time.

Understand the Nature of Some Private Medical Issues

It’s important to be aware that your friend might be a bit embarrassed or upset about some of their private medical issues. Someone who suffers from urinary incontinence might be embarrassed about their condition, for example, so it’s wise to handle conversations about these matters in a sensitive way. Additionally, you should make sure that you don’t talk about your loved one’s medical issues with anyone else without getting their permission first. When dealing with these sorts of subjects, it’s best to be gentle and thoughtful.

Visit and Send Gifts When You Can

Dealing with medical issues can cause many people to feel very lonely. There’s a good chance that your loved one might be dealing with some loneliness, too. Visiting, sending small gifts or flowers, and writing letters or sending cards when you can are all ways you can help ensure that your loved one doesn’t feel alone. You can even check in with them on social media if that is easier and more convenient for the two of you. This is a great way to show your love for your friend.

As you can see, there are actually a number of different things you can do if you want to assist your close friend with private medical issues. With your love and support, your loved one might be able to deal with their medical issues a bit more easily.