Grieving the death of a loved one is ranked among one of the most stressful life events, regardless of age. However, seniors may have more difficulty during the grieving process than their younger counterparts. It isn’t uncommon for seniors to experience a higher level of apathy and depression, which often has a direct impact on their quality of life. Although you may be grieving yourself, there are a few things you can do to assist your loved one during this trying time.
Combat Feelings of Isolation
According to the Institute on Aging, feelings of isolation can occur as seniors face the reality that individuals who have been a major part of their lives for years begin to pass away. As they lose close friends and family members, they may begin to feel as though they’re alone.
These feelings may be further magnified if the senior has lost a spouse. If your loved one loses his or her spouse, it may be time to discuss a long-term care plan, possibly moving your loved one in with you to ensure his or her safety and provide companionship.
A compassionate home caregiver can be a strong source of emotional support for your grieving loved one. For families living in Victoria, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Grieve & Reminiscence
Part of the grieving process involves taking a trip down memory lane. Family members can ask the senior about the friend or loved one, encouraging the senior to tell stories from the past. Reminiscing about good times can help your loved one focus on the positive times he or she had with the person he or she has lost. In a study, a majority of seniors reported this helped them accept the loss and come to terms with the situation more quickly than those who didn’t take the time to reminisce about their lost loved ones.
Grief can have a significant impact on your loved one’s emotional and physical wellbeing, and a professional caregiver can address both of these concerns. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior home care, Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults address their health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
Take the Emphasis Off Age
When confronted with the loss of loved ones, many seniors begin to think about their own mortality. Focusing on the age of the people they’ve lost or their own age can prove detrimental to the grieving process. For this reason, caregivers and family members should emphasize the strengths and accomplishments of the person who passed away, shifting the focus away from any age-related conditions and health issues the person had during his or her final days.
If you have a senior loved one who has recently lost a close friend, family member, or spouse, it’s important to understand how difficult and emotional this time can be. Act as a support system, and don’t push your loved one to talk if he or she isn’t ready.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elder care. Victoria families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. Whether your parent needs hourly or live-in care, give us a call at (250) 592-4881 today.