Here’s how you can accept help without feeling like a burden.
In this season of sudden responsibility, one of the hardest things you may face isn’t medical—it’s emotional. It’s learning to say yes when someone offers, “Let me know how I can help.”
This blog post explores why accepting help is both practical and powerful. It’s not a weakness; instead, it’s a strategy for staying grounded. And to make it easier, we’ve created a printable set of 16 Help Request Cards—simple, pre-written cards you can hand out when help is offered.
Why It’s So Hard to Accept Help
If you’re like many caregivers, you might feel uncomfortable accepting help. Maybe you worry it’ll make you look ungrateful or incapable. Or maybe you’re just so busy that you don’t even know what kind of help to ask for. But caregiving isn’t meant to be done alone. In fact, a study from the National Alliance for Caregiving reports that caregivers who share the workload experience lower rates of depression and burnout.
“Saying yes to help isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.” – Dee, Waldenstrom Strong Founder
How Accepting Help Benefits Everyone
Letting others help isn’t just good for you. It’s good for them, too. Friends and family feel included. Often, people want to help but don’t know how. A simple task gives them purpose.
You preserve your energy. Whether it’s a load of laundry or a hot meal, every little bit helps you stay focused on what matters most. Your loved one benefits. When you’re rested, calm, and supported, you can provide better care.
How to Use the Help Request Cards
When someone says, “Let me know how I can help,” don’t shrug it off. Reach into your purse or binder and pull out one of our printable cards. Each one includes a simple, real-world ask. No awkward conversations. No guesswork. You can offer them a random card from the deck, or you can match a request to the person’s specific talents. There’s no right or wrong way.
Use These Requests, and Then Actually Accept Help
Here are the 16 helpful requests included in the printable set:
- Can you bring us a meal next week? I’ll text you a good day for our schedule.
- Would you bring my groceries if I place an online order? It really helps!
- Can you sit with my loved one for an hour while I rest or step out for a break?
- Would you be willing to mow the lawn or handle a quick outdoor chore?
- Can you sit with me in the treatment waiting room next week?
- Could you check in by text once or twice a week? Hearing from you lifts my spirits.
- Would you bring me a coffee the next time you visit? It really picks me up!
- Could you water the outdoor plants the next time you’re near the house?
- Can you pick up a prescription or pharmacy item for us?
- Would you drop off some fresh fruit, protein bars, or bottled water at the hospital?
- Could you bring me a book or a crossword puzzle? It helps me relax.
- Would you add my loved one to your church prayer list?
- Could you walk and feed our pet on the date of the next long appointment?
- Would you help me tidy the kitchen or fold some laundry?
- Can you watch my kids for an hour or two one afternoon this week?
- Could you run a quick errand?
Tip: Print the Caregiver Request Cards Without Extra Stress
Most office supply stores, such as Staples or Office Depot, allow you to upload a file and have it printed and delivered to your door. Choose cardstock for durability, or laminate a set for added protection. Ordering professional printing avoids another errand—and gets the cards into your hands fast. No muss. No fuss.
Loved Ones Offering Help Genuinely Care for You
Accepting help isn’t about giving up control—it’s about giving people who love you a way to walk beside you. Whether you ask someone to fold laundry or water the plants, you’re saying: I’m human. I matter, too.
Click here to grab the Help Request Cards and keep them in your binder, go bag, or car. You’re not meant to do this alone. Let people show up for you. They wouldn’t offer if they didn’t care.
Looking for more practical tools for caregivers? Explore the full Waldenström Caregiver Starter Kit.
