How to Help an Older Adult Who Is Grieving

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An older adult who is grieving clutches a photo in her arms as she gazes sadly out the window.

An older adult who is grieving needs lots of support to get through this difficult time.

By the time we reach our golden years, we’ve had many years of building deep connections with family and friends. These bonds are crucial to our quality of life, and when they are severed, it inevitably leads to feelings of deep loss.

You may feel hopeless to help an older adult who is grieving, but there are steps you can take. It begins with understanding more about this powerful emotion.

What Should You Know About Grief in Older Adults?

Grief Is Complex

  • Grief in older adults is a complicated emotional reaction to a variety of losses, including the passing of family members, declining health, or changes in independence.
  • Acknowledging the unique nature of each older adult’s grieving process is essential for offering individualized support.

Grief Effects Mental Health

  • Grief can manifest in a variety of ways, impacting mental health and well-being.
  • Seniors may experience feelings of loneliness and sadness, as well as physical symptoms such as changes in sleep patterns or appetite.

Grief Is a Process

  • The grieving process is non-linear and unique to each individual, encompassing stages such as denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance.
  • Seniors may revisit these stages at different times, necessitating patience and empathy from caregivers and loved ones.

How Can You Help an Older Adult Who Is Grieving?

Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms. Engaging in activities that bring joy and comfort is important for dealing with grief. Encourage the person to pursue hobbies, take part in social interactions, and practice mindfulness. In addition, emphasizing a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and nutritious meals, contributes to their resilience and overall well-being during challenging times.

Seek Professional Support. Grief is a complex emotional experience, and professional support can offer valuable guidance. Encourage the individual to explore counseling or join a support group tailored to their needs. Professional resources offer tools for managing emotions, coping strategies, and also the comfort of a supportive community, aiding in the healing process.

Maintain Open Channels of Communication. Grieving seniors often face the struggle of expressing their emotions. Encourage open communication, providing a safe space in order for them to share their feelings. Be a compassionate listener, offering understanding and reassurance without judgment. Creating an environment where emotions can be expressed fosters a sense of connection and healing.

Strengthen Community Connections. Building a supportive community is crucial for someone facing grief. Create opportunities for social interactions, and make certain they maintain connections with family, friends, and community resources. Establishing a network of support can provide a sense of belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering a supportive environment for healing.

We’re here to assist older adults who are struggling through times of bereavement. Our compassionate, kind care professionals provide both a listening ear and engaging activities to help make each day a little brighter. Contact us online or give us a call at 954-486-6440 for assistance and support in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lighthouse Point, or the surrounding areas.

Broward County Family Caregiver Common Stress Point: Making a Mistake

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Partnering with an agency like Responsive Home Care can reduce the trepidation and anxiety in managing care at home successfully.

“Of course Grandma can move in with me!”

Increasingly more family caretakers are making this commendable choice every day, signifying the beginning of lifestyle changes they can only truly have an understanding of once immersed in them. And even though the positive aspects of providing care for an older parent are immeasurable, they’re not without a variety of dilemmas as well.

It might seem second-nature to take care of daily activities for a senior loved one; yet it’s not quite as intuitive as it seems initially. As an example, helping a senior in the shower or bath the wrong way may lead to a fall. Poor incontinence care could cause skin damage and infection. Noncompliance with a prescribed dietary plan can lead to a variety of health problems.

It is not a surprise that in a newly released report shared by AARP, “Home Alone Revisited,” a lot of family caregivers mentioned anxiety over the possibility of making a mistake in the care they provide. The study features responses from a survey sent to over 2,000 family caregivers, who revealed that although they believed their care was making it possible for their family members to stay at home instead of moving to an assisted living or nursing home setting, they expressed anxiety over their experience to do the tasks needed.

Respondents in the study divulged that the most emotionally frustrating element of caregiving is incontinence care. And, nearly ¾ of family caregivers surveyed are regularly performing medical duties in relation to pain management – tasks for which they wished they had obtained better training and recommendations from the senior’s medical care team.

Heather Young, dean emerita at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis (and co-author of this report) explains that, “Too often (family caregivers) are unprepared and do not get the support they need to assume these important roles.”

Asking for help and training in unfamiliar tasks is critical for family caregivers. Those who partner with an established in-home care provider, such as Responsive Home Care, can reduce the trepidation and anxiety in managing care at home successfully. Our team in home health care in Coral Springs, FL are professionally trained in the countless intricacies of aging care, and can provide family members with valuable guidance and education. We also offer trusted, reliable respite care services that make it possible for family caregivers to step away from their care responsibilities while knowing their senior loved one will be safe and well cared for.

Call our team in home health care in Coral Springs, FL at 954-486-6440 or contact us online for a free in-home consultation to find out more.

Help Prevent Senior Loneliness with This Simple Questionnaire

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Serious senior woman in her 90s, with eyes closed.

Responsive Home Care, providers of senior care in Hollywood, FL and surrounding areas provides tips to improve health by preventing senior loneliness.

With over 325 million people living in the United States alone, it’s difficult to imagine that loneliness would be so widespread. Nevertheless, over 50% of the elderly live alone, and more than a million of them are estimated to be chronically lonely. In reality, almost 1/2 of older adults studied stated that their primary source of company is the tv.

Being lonely may result in acute health concerns as well, reported to have as significant an impact as smoking cigarettes and being overweight, and can contribute to depression, hypertension, dementia, and also an earlier mortality rate than others who happen to be socially connected.

What are ways to ensure your senior loved ones avoid sinking into isolation? The Campaign to End Loneliness recommends using the following measurement tool. Check in with the older adults in your life to assess their answers to these three statements:

  1. I am content with my friendships and relationships.
  2. I have plenty of people I feel comfortable asking for help at any time.
  3. My relationships are as fulfilling as I would like them to be.

If loneliness is a problem for a loved one in your life, there are a number of things you can do to help:

  • Consult with your senior loved one’s neighbors, friends, and members of his or her religious organization in order to coordinate weekly visits.
  • Take advantage of technology, including Facetime and Skype, to allow the senior to be connected remotely.
  • Explore available activities and courses for seniors from the nearest community college, senior center, and gym.

It is also essential to eliminate clinical depression or any other health conditions as the underlying reason behind your loved one’s loneliness. A senior who’s isolating herself/himself on account of mental or physical conditions requires professional healthcare services to address the problem and receive relevant care.

One of the best ways to alleviate loneliness in seniors is through engaging the services of Responsive Home Care. Our caregiving companions spend quality time with senior loved ones through:

  • Friendly conversations
  • Engaging in fulfilling pastimes such as playing games, cards, exercise, hobbies, and favorite pursuits
  • Sharing mealtimes with each other
  • Providing the transportation and accompaniment necessary to help seniors stay active in the community around them
  • And much more

Contact us any time at 954-486-6440 for help in making certain that your senior loved one is socially active and experiencing life to the fullest!

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