@morganth@social.tchncs.de As others have said, one issue is getting the needs of one person and the capabilities of the other lined up. I try to be proactive in offering help to people who's situation I know - with specific examples of what I can/am willing to do - "I can run errands/pick you up/help in the garden/bring food and visit/read and comment on your proposal/paper." I've discovered that once you've given and received help a few times from a person/community, it gets easier to do so. You're no longer asking for a special favor, you are continuing the chain.