Healing from Grief: Strategies for Seniors Coping with Loss
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that 10,433 U.S. adults aged 65 and above committed suicide in 2022. Loneliness and grief over lost loved ones contributed to these cases.
Grief becomes more complex with age. It leaves a sense of emptiness and uncertainty, which threatens senior mental health.
Although coping with the loss of a loved one feels overwhelming, it's always possible to heal. With time, patience, and the right strategies, seniors can manage grief. Effective strategies also support seniors' emotional well-being.
Explore practical strategies for healing from grief, helping seniors navigate the emotional journey after losing a loved one.
Stages of Grief in Seniors
Understanding the stages of grief in seniors is crucial to providing quality bereavement support. Different stages of grief in seniors come with varying symptoms. Let's help break down these stages for better understanding and support.
Denial
The denial stage is where seniors refuse to accept the loss of their loved ones. Many older adults respond by avoiding expressing disbelief.
They may also avoid conversations related to death. Others may claim that the loss is false or question the reliability of the information source.
Anger
Anger begins when a senior starts to accept the reality of a loved one's death. It's a natural response directed towards other parties. Many seniors express anger by blaming:
- The doctors
- Oneself
- Family members
- The deceased
- A higher spiritual power like God
Bargaining
The bargaining stage comes when the affected older adults start to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. Bargaining acts as a psychological defense mechanism. It helps postpone emotions of anger, sadness, and confusion.
Seniors struggle with "if only" and "what if" statements. Here's an example of a bargaining statement: "If I had taken her to the doctor earlier, she would have been cured."
Depression
Depression starts when feelings of sadness and anger become intense. Assisted living staff provide quality memory care to help seniors manage this stage. Common symptoms in this stage include:
- Lack of energy
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Changes in sleep
- Weight loss
- Feelings of guilt
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Restlessness
- Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Acceptance
The acceptance stage is where seniors start coming to terms with the death of their loved ones. They begin to find ways to move on. They can incorporate their grief into their everyday routines and experience a sense of calm or resolution.
Acceptance involves cherishing or treasuring shared memories. Some seniors also make plans to lead a more fulfilling and joyful life.
Strategies for Seniors Coping with Loss
With the right strategies, you can help a grieving older adult avoid some serious health complications. Effective strategies also prevent the potential exacerbation of underlying cognitive conditions.
Staying Socially Connected
Staying connected to family, peers, and friends helps grieving seniors overcome feelings of loneliness. Grieving seniors who interact with others can express grief and receive empathy.
Social interactions create opportunities for laughter, encouragement, and other positive experiences. Such experiences act as distractions for grief, leading to faster healing. Social connections also give grieving seniors a sense of belonging, purpose, and value.
Assisted living communities provide structured social activities to keep grieving seniors connected. These include:
- Shared dining
- Outings to local events and museums
- Book clubs
- Cooking classes
- Game nights
- Volunteering
These social activities also allow lonely seniors to create new, healthy friendships. They also help elevate the mood of grieving seniors, reducing cognitive decline.
Seeking Professional Counseling
Professional counseling offers a non-judgmental space for grieving seniors. It's a form of bereavement support that encourages seniors to express feelings of loss.
Grief counseling aims to help seniors overcome sadness and anger. This enables them to overcome negative thoughts like self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Counseling helps seniors understand that grieving is normal after losing a loved one. Seniors also discover better ways to accept the loss of their loved ones. Their self-efficacy or confidence in coping with loss improves.
Grief counseling for seniors involves various techniques and interventions, including:
- Support groups
- Talk therapy
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Targeted psychotherapy
Joining Support Groups
Support groups help seniors cope with loss by promoting emotional validation. They acknowledge and accept the feelings of grief a senior has. By joining a support group, your elderly loved one will feel heard and understood.
Support groups also teach grieving seniors effective coping strategies. These include the following:
- Establishing a routine
- Allowing time to grieve and heal
- Memory keeping
- Guided relaxation
- Deep breathing and meditation
- Pet companionship
- Spiritual practices like attending church services and engaging in prayers
Assisted living communities have various support groups that grieving residents can join. Support groups help seniors discover their strengths during the grieving period.
They also enable grieving seniors to reconstruct their sense of identity. Such changes make older adults perceive themselves more positively after loss, leading to faster healing.
Staying Physically Active
Staying physically active promotes the physical and mental health of grieving seniors. It improves senior mental health by helping individuals overcome anxiety and depression.
Engaging in physical activities stimulates the body to release endorphins. These are the 'feel-good hormones' that uplift the spirits of grieving seniors.
By staying active, older adults develop a sense of routine. A structured routine will enable your loved one to easily control their life. They end up feeling less overwhelmed by uncertainties.
Seniors who stay physically active during grief enjoy better sleep. Assisted living communities offer a wide variety of physical activities for grieving seniors, including:
- Yoga
- Group exercise classes
- Walking clubs
Grieving seniors can also stay active by participating in mentally stimulating activities like arts and crafts. Assisted living communities have craft rooms where seniors can express their feelings of loss in meaningful and therapeutic ways, like:
- Knitting
- Drawing
- Journaling
- Creative writing
- Making memory boxes
Navigating Loss: Practical Tips for Healing From Grief
Grief is a journey that your elderly loved one doesn't have to walk alone. Healing from grief is possible with the right support and environment.
TerraBella Fuquay-Varina in NC has a compassionate staff who are always available to support your loved one through their grief. Our vibrant community offers exceptional assisted living services like laundry, housekeeping, and concierge.
We guarantee the warmth and understanding needed during difficult times. Call us today for a supportive living experience.