The Power of Love and Support from Your Inner Circle

Living with heart failure can be overwhelming and all-consuming on a good day. Isolating, too. Finding the balance between life, work, family, and doctor appointments can be challenging.

I think humans are social creatures, and I do not mean social in the form of socializing and going out. Social in the sense that we need people and community. Be it family or chosen family, friends, or community, this may look different for all of us. I do not think we were meant to do this journey, this life, alone. This could not be more true when dealing with something as big as heart failure.

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see how people can help us, especially when we are overwhelmed. So let's break it down a bit. What can your loved ones do to help you when living with heart failure, and how can they be most helpful?

Practical, in-house help

Family, friends, and loved ones could help with some daily tasks that find you without the energy to complete or even initiate. Think of things along the lines of:

• Bringing you to and from appointments
• Meal prepping and grocery shopping
• Admin work and light housekeeping
• Prepping medication for the upcoming week

In the past, I have asked loved ones to help me with some of these things, and it took me a while to get to the point of asking for help. Which was silly, because we should not feel ashamed to ask for help. I can honestly tell you that I have had some of my best visits with friends in these times.

Mental health support

If you have any mental health concerns, then seeing a therapist is the first step that I would personally take. I take mental health very seriously and along with attending regular therapy, I also take my mental health for a walk, and I take it dancing daily. So how can your loved ones help you and support you in this regard:

• Encouragement and checking in regularly
• Holding space and listening to your very valid feelings
• Encouraging lifestyle changes that you may be making for your heart health
• I like a good debrief session with a close friend on my health journey after a doctor's appointment.
• They can help you look for research and understand treatment plans.
• Sometimes having them go with to appointments for moral support is also good. I have found this to be a favorite.

Support groups for people with heart failure

I feel it is fair to say that having people in your corner really can make a positive impact on your life when living with heart failure. Just in general it is good to have good people in your corner.

Joining informative online communities and or real-time support groups is another great way to manage what you are going through. Having people who truly understand what it is that you are going through, being able to soundboard ideas, having a safe space to air concerns or just vent about what is currently happening with your heart failure, your treatment, and just life sometimes, is an invaluable asset to me.

You are not alone in this, reach out and allow people to help you where they can.