Research to find local resources, and also include services such as these free sites:

www.TakeThemaMeal.com. This is a comprehensive meal organization site. The family creates a private online sign-up sheet, friends sign up for specific days and times, and they receive automatic reminders. The site includes a range of recipes for foods that transport well. It also includes the option of purchasing items from their store of prepared meals and foods that can be sent directly to the family. Similar sites include www.Mealtrain.com and www.caringmeals.com.

www.CareCalendar.org. This is a donor-supported ministry whose site is used to coordinate meals as well as other types of help, such as taking children to their activities or doing yard work. One person or team takes charge of monitoring the calendar. The family lists what help they need and when, and those who can assist sign up. The site sends reminder emails and allows the family to upload photos and post update messages. Similar sites include www.LotsaHelpingHands.com and www.CareFlash.com.

www.CaringBridge.org. This provides a way to communicate with many people at once. After the family creates their private personalized Caring Bridge site, a process that takes only a couple of minutes, friends, co-workers, colleagues, and family register on it. Everyone who is registered receives an email whenever the family posts something — i.e. the results of the latest tests, how it's going that day, or whatever they wish to communicate. Everyone at work and in the friendship circle is updated without the necessity of making countless phone calls or repeating the story endlessly. Those who are registered can then reply on the site if they choose, and the family can read the messages when it is convenient, saving or deleting them as they desire.

Spare your employees and co-workers the legwork by providing resources like these. Depending on your relationship, you may even wish to participate in offering practical help to the family. Regardless, let them know you — and their co-workers — care by providing concrete assistance at a tough time.

Instant Insights /

Coordinating care when an employee or co-worker is ill

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