Losing the person who was a part of you for decades. The desperation and heartache can be devastating. And that’s why navigating grief is priority learning for seniors. Time for class…
…individuals will often make deals with God or some higher power in an effort to bring back what was lost or change what happened.
Handing over the mic
With several topics in mind, Michelle at Aging.com asked if she could provide a guest post. I said yes, chose the subject, and here we are.
Now, she’s bringing us a ton of valuable info. Why not save or print the piece for ongoing reference? And, of course, share at will.
The mic’s yours, Michelle…
Introduction
For many seniors, the death of a spouse can be an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking experience. As we age, it is not uncommon to have to grapple with such loss – but that doesn’t make it any easier for those who are grieving.
For older adults dealing with this kind of tragedy, understanding the stages of grief as well as finding helpful tips on how to navigate their loss can be invaluable in making sense of their situation.
Where we’re going
In this post, we will explore seniors grieving the death of a spouse by looking at what one should expect from this process.
And we will review advice on how best to move forward after losing a partner, as well as look at resources for getting back into life’s routines following bereavement.
Understanding the stages of grief
“I’m devastated and lost, but I’m willing to learn how to get through this.”
Grief is a natural response to loss and can be experienced in different ways. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Let’s take a look…
Denial
In this stage, the individual may deny that the death has occurred or attempt to ignore it. They may also isolate themselves from others as they try to process their emotions.
Seniors who have lost a spouse often feel overwhelmed by their sudden loneliness and lack of support system.
Anger
This stage involves feelings of frustration, resentment, bitterness or rage directed at those around them or even towards the deceased person for leaving them behind.
It’s important for seniors to remember that these feelings are normal, but should not be acted upon impulsively as they can cause further pain down the line.
Bargaining
At this point in grief, individuals will often make deals with God or some higher power in an effort to bring back what was lost or change what happened.
For example, a senior might think “If only I had done something differently…” while trying desperately to undo the past events leading up to their loved one’s death.
Depression
During this stage of grief people become deeply sad and disheartened by all that has been lost; especially when dealing with long-term illnesses like dementia, which slowly take away memories over time before eventually taking away life itself.
Depression during bereavement is common among seniors who have just experienced such a great loss after years spent together building memories with someone special.
Acceptance
Finally comes acceptance, although it does not necessarily mean happiness about what happened. It means coming to terms with reality without any expectations of changing things back to how they were before the tragedy occurred.
Acceptance doesn’t happen overnight, but rather gradually over time as seniors learn how best to cope with life without their partner.
Summary
Grieving the death of a spouse can be an incredibly difficult and emotional experience, but the stages of grief can help us to better cope with our feelings.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some helpful tips.
Tips for navigating grief and loss of a spouse
Losing a spouse can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. Grief is a natural response to loss, and it’s important for seniors to understand that their feelings are valid and should not be ignored.
Here are some tips on how to navigate grief and loss…
Acknowledge your feelings
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, or confusion after the death of a loved one. Allow yourself time to grieve and don’t try to ignore your feelings or push them away.
Talking about your experience with someone you trust can help you process your emotions in a healthy way.
Reach out to others for support
Surrounding yourself with supportive people who understand what you’re going through can make all the difference during this difficult time.
Connecting with friends or family members who have experienced similar losses may provide comfort knowing that they too have gone through something similar.
Joining support groups online or in person may also be beneficial if there isn’t anyone close by who understands what you’re going through.
Take care of yourself physically and emotionally
“My heart’s broken, she meant everything to me. Thank God I still have my buddy.”
Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is essential when grieving the loss of a spouse; this includes eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, taking breaks from work/activities when needed, seeking professional help if necessary (e.g., therapy), etc.
Doing activities that bring joy such as listening to music or spending time outdoors can also help ease stress levels during this challenging period in life.
Finding meaning in the loss of your partner doesn’t mean forgetting them, but rather honoring their memory by living life fully while cherishing memories shared together throughout their lifetime.
Whether it was traveling around the world together or simply enjoying each other’s company at home watching movies, these moments will always remain special no matter what happens next.
Grieving the loss of a spouse can be an overwhelming and challenging experience. However, by taking care of yourself physically and emotionally, reaching out for support, and finding meaning in the loss you can begin to move forward.
As you start to adjust to life without your spouse, it is important to make changes gradually while also seeking help if needed.
Getting back to a normal life after the death of a spouse
It is important to give yourself time to heal and adjust to this new reality. Allow yourself space and permission to grieve in whatever way feels right for you, whether that’s through tears or moments of silence.
Making changes gradually can help ease the transition into life without your partner. For example, if you used to take walks together every morning, try going on solo walks at first before eventually introducing other activities like yoga or gardening into your routine.
Talking it over
Seeking professional help if needed is also an important step in adjusting after loss. Grief counselors are trained professionals who can provide guidance on how best to cope with grief and loss while offering support during this difficult time.
Talking with others who have experienced similar losses may also be beneficial as they understand what it’s like firsthand and can offer comfort and advice from their own experience.
Understanding and supporting grieving seniors
In closing, It is important to understand the stages of grief and have tips on how to navigate it, as well as resources available to help seniors who are grieving.
Additionally, getting back to a normal life after the death of a spouse may take time, but there are ways that loved ones can support an older adult during this difficult period.
Ultimately, by understanding what seniors grieving the death of a spouse may experience and providing them with appropriate assistance, we can help ensure they do not feel isolated or alone in their journey through grief.
Well done, Michelle – thank you. I’m glad to have this piece on board.
Alrighty then, be sure to head on over to Aging.com. You’ll find even more valuable information and resources.
And those Chipur mood and anxiety info and information articles. Ya’ gotta’ peruse the titles.
