We have all experienced what it is like to lose someone that we love and cherish, at some point in our lives. We have all dealt with the grief that comes along with it. For older adults, however, grief is different. In seniors, the loss of someone younger than them like a young child or someone near to their heart like a spouse destroyed them from inside.
Bereavement can upset the immune systems of seniors, who often feel depressed, helpless and hopeless while they are going through the grieving process. This is why helping and supporting a senior loved one cope with their loss is an important aspect of elderly care.
It is also important for family members and loved ones to know what grieving seniors need and understand that they may be quite different from what they expect. For the elderly, the loss of a loved one can be shocking and devastating. Additionally, grieving seniors might lose sleep, isolate from friends and family, have trouble concentrating and change their eating habits.
In such a situation, elderly caregivers play a major role when it comes to helping older adults identify the impact of loss and how it has affected them and cope with grief. It’s important to keep in mind grieving is a long, drawn-out process, therefore, it needs to be approached with utmost patience and kindness. If you’re a caregiver, here’s how you can help your senior loved one cope with their sorrow.
- Listen them
You can talk to your elder family member and listen their heart, what they want to say. Don’t offer to help them out or tell them what you think they should do. Simply being there, being present, and listening to them is enough to let them know that you care. Be supportive and give them a hug – this simple gesture has more healing power than you think.
- Encourage Social Interaction
Who likes to mourn and grieve alone? Everyone needs someone when they’re grieving and it is important to have people who love and care for you by your side at this time. Older adults in depression are more vulnerable and, therefore, should be encouraged to be more social and connect with people more frequently. As a senior caregiver, encourage your loved one to visit friends and family, take part in senior programs, group outings and attend social events with their friends. Studies suggest that an active social life uplifts physical, mental, and emotional health, which is exactly the kind of push that an elderly struggling with loneliness and depression needs.
- Indulge in Activities that Divert the Mind
Help your senior loved one cope with grief by encouraging them to do things they like, for example, gardening, reading, cooking, listening to music, watching movies, walking in the park, knitting, crocheting, etc. To make it even better, you can accompany them in these activities. You can also take them out to their favourite spot or restaurant that reminds them of the person they lost. It will help them remember the happy memories.
- Support and Security
In difficult times older people need your support and love. It is not good for anyone to be sad all the time. If they want to do something for relaxation or feel happy then it is normal. Encourage them go out, meet their friends, watch movie or do shopping in a mall. You can also go with them if they are alone.
- Don’t Force Them to Make Decisions
Making decisions can be a challenging task for a grieving senior, therefore, family members should avoid asking them questions or put them in the condition where they have to make decisions. Even the simplest of things like asking them what they want to have for dinner could make matters worse. Just cook something you know they like and bring it to them. On the other hand, don’t treat them like they feel themselves helpless. Seniors still want to feel as if they maintain a position of authority, therefore, ensure that you balance it out.
In grieving time sadness is normal thing. But, stop it before it convert to depression. In this situation, help from knowledgeable person is very important. Here are some signs of depressions:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Feeling of helplessness, and hopelessness
- Lack appetite
- Feeling of worthlessness
- Abnormal behaviour
- Become less social
- Feelings of low self-esteem
- Addiction of drugs and alcohol
Helping your elderly loved one cope with loss is a long process, and it may take some time before they can heal. For older adults, grief is a severe condition, but not a permanent state. Moving on from grief depends on various elements, of which, a senior’s own inner resources and the support they have is of prime importance.
Therefore, as a senior caregiver, make sure you’re there for them during this time, and seek help from a professional if and when required.