Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend

What a sweet little book! I ordered two of them so I could share the wonderful and inspiring messages written inside. There are a lot of great ideas to help out a chronically ill person or just about anyone who feels down in the dumps. It's the simple things in life that really count!

Wondering how to perk up a hurting friend or family member? Beyond Casseroles has great ideas to make anyone smile. Some suggestions are simple and some have you combing flea markets and garage sales. This book has something for anyone who wants to bring cheer into someone elses life, even their own.Choices: Managing Chronic Pain

to help a friend with a chronic, painful illness. So many times people say "let me know if you need anything" and they mean well, and while flowers or a card is nice, this book includes very useful ideas that really do make a difference in the life of a chronically ill person. Suggestions such as "changing her sheets" or "mop the kitchen floor", while small things, really add to the comfort of someone suffering with arthritis or other painful illnesses. This book even includes ideas of what not to say to someone who is ill. All in all, a gem of a book. Wish I had found it sooner.

I am re-ordering, yet again, more copies of Beyond Casseroles 505 Ways to Help Someone with Chronic Illness/Pain. I love these little books and find they are just perfect to give along with a card to someone who deals with chronic pain and illness or to someone who is a friend or relative of someone especially caregivers. I usually tell the person with the chronic illness to tick off the ones that they would find most useful and leave it around when visitors come to call. I try to keep several on hand to give away as needed. I've had lots of positive feedback. As someone recently told me, "It's just common sense, but sometimes it's hard to think of these ideas without a little nudging reminder." L. J. Dalgliesh Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

As the author of "Don't You Need Some Rest? 52 Sabbath Reflections for Stressful Living", I was immediately drawn to Lisa Copen's book. Her practical suggestions for helping a chronically ill friend can be implemented immediately. She presents and easy guide for what to do and not do; as well as what to say and not to say. I'm glad she and her "Rest Ministries" have moved me beyond casseroles.