Research has consistently shown how people’s cardiovascular health can improve when they are supported by their loved ones. These research findings include the following:

If you are wondering how else to support your loved one (in addition to keeping communication open), an excellent strategy is to help keep your loved one’s household running as smoothly as possible:

• If you are living in that household, this might mean asking for help, which can be difficult. Talk openly about how you are doing and what you need. Remember that people cannot read your mind to know what you need to keep things going. They do not know if you need them to bring you a big pot of soup or to pick up a child from school. You might also consider hiring some temporary help, such as someone to clean the house or to watch young children for you. Keep in mind the importance of taking care of yourself first.
  
  
• If you are not living in that household but live close by, try offering specific suggestions about how you could help. Specific suggestions include, “Do you need me to watch the kids tomorrow?” or “Can I bring over a home-cooked meal on Tuesday?” In many cases, people are more likely to accept these specific offers than if more general statements are made, such as, “Just let me know if you need anything.”
  
  
• If you are not living in or close to that household, you can still show support from across the miles. In addition to keeping communication open through cards, e-mails and phone calls, consider whether financial support would be appropriate. For example, you could send money for a maid to clean the house, or for a taxi to resolve transportation problems on a difficult day. You could send a gift certificate to a local restaurant or bookstore. As much as possible, be available without being pushy.