Authored by Camille Johnson Image via Pexels
Some people, especially seniors, find dealing with grief overwhelming. If you have a parent who has lost a spouse, help them manage the complicated emotions associated with losing a loved one by being there for them. Read further for more helpful tips.
1. Consider Moving Your Loved One to a Senior Care Facility
To help a loved one cope with loss, consider moving them to a nursing home or an assisted living community. They may not agree to this at first, but the company of other people can help them cope with grief. A change of scenery and the removal of certain responsibilities may improve their quality of life. Before choosing a facility in Tempe, read reviews and familiarize yourself with the pricing, payment options, and detailed facility reports.
2. Help a Senior Loved One Meet New People
Socializing and seeing new people can help your loved one slowly recover from pain. If they’ve lost touch with old friends, suggest using a search engine to look for their fellow high school graduates from Tempe. Simply type in the name, school, and graduation date of the person you want to find. The results are quick with an option to reach out to these friends.
3. Seek Professional Help
After losing a spouse, it’s normal to cry, feel lonely, and even avoid people. However, if your loved one shows signs of depression and isn’t improving, consider hiring a mental health professional to help them better cope with grief. Counseling can help your loved one handle difficult issues, including depression.
4. Encourage Self Care
Is your loved one getting inadequate sleep? Make sure your loved one eats well, stays active, and gets proper rest. They need a good night’s sleep to maintain their physical and mental health.
5. Spend More Time With Family
Gather family members, including your children, and consider planning an out-of-town trip. Being with family and enjoying time together can alleviate pain and reduce sadness. Brainstorm happy activities to do together, and make sure your loved one participates.
6. Offer Support
Losing a spouse is difficult, and the burden is compounded when a loved one has to settle all the paperwork and other responsibilities while grieving. Reduce your loved one’s burden by offering to help them. Ask what you can do — perhaps they’d need you to help claim their benefits or make funeral arrangements.
7. Get a Pet
Health issues may keep many seniors from enjoying some social activities. You can remedy this problem by getting a pet for your loved one. Grooming, walking, and playing with a pet can keep them active. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your loved one won’t feel alone.
Before getting a pet, make sure your loved one doesn’t have mobility limitations that prevent them from caring for the pet. If your loved one is moving to an assisted living community in Tempe, check its pet policies before acquiring a pet.
Manage Grief Better
The grieving process may be painful and difficult for some seniors. You can help a loved one recover faster by encouraging positive activities, such as self-care, and calling the right professionals for help. For help finding an affordable senior care facility, contact The Arizona In-Home Care Association.
About Camille: Camille Johnson created Bereaver.com after she went through the ups and downs of the bereavement process herself following the loss of her parents and husband. With the help of her friend who was also experiencing a loss of her own, she learned how to grieve the healthy way, and she wants to share that with others. There is no one way to grieve, but it is important to do it in a way that supports your physical and mental health throughout.
