Aging brings with it many losses: from physical changes that limit a person's independence to deaths of loved ones. Older adults often have many losses in short periods of time. For example, an older adult who loses a partner may experience other losses such as job changes, financial security, or diminished friendships.
These experiences can mark the older adult and leave a momentary emotional void. This situation is completely normal, but it acquires different characteristics depending on the way in which the person faces it and the accompaniment obtained from his social environment. Therefore, it is important to support and not leave alone an older adult who suffers one or more losses.
In addition, we sometimes believe that older adults overreact to a minor loss; however, what was previously considered a minor loss may be reliving memories and feelings about a previous major loss.
For that reason, the first way to support an older adult experiencing grief is to understand and not minimize his or her feelings at any time. Also, because older adults often face more than one loss at a time, it is good to talk about each loss separately. Isolating the losses helps the person feel less overwhelmed and sad.
In addition, it is important to give the older adult time to feel and express his or her emotions with other people. In addition, it is important to allow a reasonable amount of time to close the processes and activities that the person will no longer do as a result of the loss and the grief he or she is going through.
Another recommendation is to be able to talk about those signs of sadness or behavioral changes that the older adult is experiencing. This can ease the emotional burden the person places on the grieving process and make it more bearable by talking to someone who listens. Older adults, especially those who have experienced several losses in a short period of time, often greatly appreciate the help of talking about the lost person or situation.
Also, try to spend time with the older adult. Going through grief together makes the whole grieving process more bearable. Feelings of loneliness can negatively interfere with the healing process. For that reason, it is not appropriate to abandon a grieving older adult.
It is also advisable to be attentive to signs of prolonged grief or depression. Different health professionals point out that the process can vary depending on each person and his or her support network, but it is common for grief after the loss of a loved one to last between 1 and 2 years. If an unusual situation is identified, it is best to consult a health professional or therapist who can accompany and help in the emotional recovery process.
At Verdeza we are aware of the need for support that an elderly person going through a bereavement must experience. That is why we are constantly sensitizing our staff to accompany residents who are in this stage. Over time we have found that empathy with the elderly during the process, affection from their environment and recreational and artistic activities are sources of much support and which help a senior to go through the normal period of grief in a healthy way.
