Living miles apart can make it challenging to care for a loved one in need. Having experienced this myself, here are six ways you can provide support from afar for a family member or close friend facing surgery.

If your loved one has recently gone through surgery, daily tasks may feel overwhelming. Oftentimes, prioritizing rest means that simple chores around the house are left undone. Hire a trusted local cleaning service to keep the living area pristine and clutter-free! This can enable your loved one to rest more fully, making recovery easier!

Days or weeks following surgery, your loved one may need transportation to various doctor appointments. Helping them set up an Uber account before surgery can be a great way to assist with this need.

Another great way to offer your support from afar is to help your loved one consider possible accommodations needed to provide a safe and practical post-surgery space. Helpful suggestions may include removing rugs or other tripping hazards. If a walker is recommended, offering to help your loved one secure this before surgery would be a tremendous blessing! Amazon, Walmart, and even your local thrift store are all great places to find walkers, canes, and shower chairs. In addition, having someone rearrange bulky furniture to make extra space for your loved one to use the walker is another thoughtful way to care for them well.

Ice is a wonderful way to offer pain relief from joint pain or inflammation. This may be something you'll need to wait to hear from the doctor if this type of care is needed. After knee surgery, my mom rotated ice packs constantly. She always had one ready in the freezer when the pack she was currently using was no longer cold enough. You may also consider investing in an ice therapy machine. It can be filled with ice to keep the affected area cool longer than a typical ice pack, and is great to have on hand for potential future surgeries.

Coordinate with family before surgery to check on your loved one through video chat, phone calls, or text messages. This can be especially helpful when a spouse needs to return to work and the person in recovery has periods of solitude during the day. Boredom can enhance feelings of frustration if recovery is taking longer, especially if they have limited mobility. Conversations with loved ones are always encouraging and uplifting!

Even if you aren't close enough to deliver a homemade meal, you can still send them a meal (or a gift card) to use at a later time. This can be an added blessing when the meal schedule has ended, but a meal would still be helpful!

There are many ways to support a loved one through surgery even if you don't live nearby. Sending a gift card, arranging for a cleaning service, or making daily phone calls can provide your loved one with the support they need for a full recovery. Do you have any supportive ideas to share with us? We'd love to hear!