How to Support Someone with a Chronic Health Condition: What to Do and Avoid

Why support is essential for someone with a chronic condition

Changes due to a chronic health condition often occur with little time for the person to adapt. A recent diagnosis or a progressing chronic condition can cause multiple effects, including:

• stress of living with a chronic illness
• fear, anxiety, and depression
• grief from the loss of health
• a reevaluation of their future
• stigma surrounding their condition
• negative effects on relationships
• physical symptoms of their condition

Having support from others can not only make navigating life changes due to chronic illness easier, but it can also help foster key traits like resilience, which allows a person to manage their condition better. In this context, resilience is the ability to adapt and respond effectively to the unpredictability of living with a chronic health condition.

According to a 2025 study, perceived social support was correlated with better chronic disease self-management among older adults in a hospital inpatient setting. The researchers also found that psychological resilience and health empowerment correlated with perceived social support and improved self-management.

How to help a person with a chronic condition

The type of support your loved one needs can vary depending on their chronic condition, their overall health, and other factors. It may include emotional, social, physical, or logistical support.

The type of support they may need from you can also depend on your relationship with them and their comfort level.

Learn about their health condition from a reliable source

As a first step, it’s best to learn about their health condition from a trustworthy source, such as:

• reading medically reviewed content about the condition
• reviewing information your loved one may have received about the condition from their healthcare professional if they feel comfortable sharing it
• watching videos created by a licensed healthcare professional with experience in the condition
• asking your loved one directly if they feel comfortable sharing that information with you

Learning about their condition can help you empathize with what they’re experiencing and relate to them more easily. It can also help you anticipate their needs.

Physical and logistical support

Depending on their health condition, your loved one may be adjusting to physical changes that may feel more limiting than they are used to. Some physical limitations may be temporary, such as during recovery from a surgery. Other times, they may be permanent and require your loved one to learn new ways of caring for themselves.

You can offer your support as they navigate these changes.

It’s best to have a conversation with your loved one to understand what help they need and are willing to accept.

Sometimes a diagnosis can feel overwhelming, and your loved one may not be able to come up with a way for you to provide support. In this case, consider letting them know about your desire to help and offer specific tasks you would like to take on rather than asking, “How can I help?”

Ideas for offering physical and logistical support can include:

• transporting them to and from appointments
• attending appointments with them and taking notes
• helping with practical needs, such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, or child care
• offering to run errands
• picking up prescription medications
• helping schedule appointments
• helping gather and organize insurance documentation
• offering to do laundry
• helping find in-home support if it’s needed and possible

Some health conditions can progress, meaning that individuals may require additional support in the future.

Emotional and social support

You can support your loved one emotionally and socially by making them feel valued and included, and helping them feel a sense of belonging.

People with chronic health conditions are at an increased risk of isolation and loneliness.

Connecting with them socially as you did before their chronic health condition may provide a constant at a time when it may feel like everything else is changing.

Your loved one may be unable to do some of the activities they used to do. You can change how you both engage in those activities or come up with new activities to do together. Avoid planning activities that wouldn’t be possible for them to participate in.

When providing social and emotional support to someone with a chronic condition, it’s important to practice:

• being empathetic and connecting with your loved one so they feel seen and cared for
• inviting them to social activities that they can participate in
• prioritizing actively listening to them
• engaging in or discussing shared interests and hobbies
• encouraging them without dismissing their experience
• talking about things outside of the chronic condition
• allowing them to vent if they want to

It’s important to note that though you can provide emotional support through your relationship, your loved one may also need support from a mental health professional to process their chronic condition. You can be a pillar of support and encourage them to seek out a professional if they may need it. A member of their care team may be able to refer them to a mental health professional with experience in helping people navigate their chronic condition.

What to avoid with someone with a chronic condition

Some things may change when a loved one has a chronic health condition. It’s important to embrace the change in their life and your relationship while still treating them as your loved one.

Listening and acting empathetically can help you avoid upsetting or offending them and straining your relationship.

Some things to avoid can include:

• expressing toxic positivity, such as saying things like, “Everything happens for a reason,” “Be grateful. It could be worse,” or “Look on the bright side,” which can be emotionally harmful
• giving unsolicited advice or trying to “solve” any problem that arises
• going against their wishes, unless not doing so puts their health at risk
• only talking with them about their chronic condition
• making plans with them that they can no longer participate in due to their chronic condition
• not trying to understand their health condition or how it impacts them
• visiting with them while you are sick because some chronic conditions put people at risk of severe outcomes from an illness
• making assumptions about their pain and symptoms

Some chronic conditions may cause periods where symptoms worsen or improve.

It’s important to note that just because a chronic condition may not be visible does not mean it isn’t affecting your loved one.

How to help as a caregiver

If you are the caregiver to someone with a chronic health condition, the care you may need to provide can vary depending on their specific health condition and their overall health.

As a caregiver to someone with a chronic condition, you may be responsible for:

• supporting them in their daily activities
• helping them with personal care and hygiene
• scheduling fun activities and enrichment
• managing their health documentation
• managing their payments and finances
• gathering insurance information and appealing denials
• scheduling appointments and tests
• managing their medication
• arranging the living space to accommodate them
• finding a support system for yourself
• practicing self-care and taking breaks from caregiving

It’s important to take advantage of the support available for caregivers, whether through national or local organizations, family, or friends.

You can’t take care of another person if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Caregivers can experience burnout. Try your best to ask for help when you need it and accept help when it’s offered. You are not alone.

Resources on how to support someone with a specific health condition

You can find targeted resources for helping someone with a particular health condition.

Some places for help and information include nonprofit and advocacy organizations, government websites, and trustworthy health websites.

The bottom line

There are many ways to support a loved one with a chronic health condition, including helping with practical needs, providing emotional and social support, or supporting their caregiver.

Learning about their health condition from a reputable source can help you better tailor your support to their needs.