Losing a loved one takes its toll on anyone that experiences it. Grief is the natural reaction of any kind of loss and will inevitably happen to all of us, but older people can often suffer from worse effects from having grief. It can be especially hard  to lose a lifelong partner and someone that has constantly been there. It can become isolating and lonely to continue a life without them. Here are some healthy ways to help them cope and continue living a full life because that is what their spouse would have wanted. 

Let Them Process 

A lot of the time, we avoid talking to them about their passed on loved one because we do not want to bring up negative emotions. However, it is important for them to feel and process these emotions at first to be able to move on. Let them express their grief to you and be a listening ear. Do not try to offer solutions right away, just let them know you are there for them. Letting them process these emotions and sharing memories about their loved one can create a sense of love and comfort during this difficult time. 

Spend Time with Them

As I previously mentioned, this can become a very isolating and lonely time for them. It is important to keep them company so they do not feel so alone and have someone they can talk to. It is nice for them to have a support system while going through this process. Health also tends to deteriorate when they experience this because they can lose their appetite, suffer from health conditions mixed with stress, and start to have confusion. Being there for them can help them stay more grounded and be able to continue living life to the fullest. 

In Home-Care

If your family member is suffering from grief but you are unable to be with them often, in-home care is a great option. Many assisted living homes offer this service to provide companionship or help with daily personal care. With this elderly care blackfoot, home care provider blackfoot, seniors can feel a little less overwhelmed and have someone they can count on if they need anything. 

Support Group/Therapy 

Having your elderly loved one attend a support group can also make them feel less alone. They will be able to talk with others that have been through a similar situation and be able to feel a sense of community. This is a great way for them to stay social and not be afraid to speak out about their experience. They can also build lovely friendships from this. 

Give Them a Journal

Being able to write down feelings will give them a sense of clarity in their mind and allow them to express their feelings if they don’t want to talk about them. Even after they have healed and dealt with their grief as much as possible, keeping a journal for all their daily experiences is a great keepsake for generations to come. 

Conclusion

Grieving a spouse can be a very tough time, especially for those that are older. It is important to remember these things so that we may best know how to help them in this difficult time. We want to be there as best as we can for our loved ones.