Grief Recovery for Seniors: Finding Strength After Loss
The unthinkable has occurred: you've just lost someone you love. Coping with loss is extremely difficult, especially for seniors.
If you are a senior living in Blair, NE, you may be wondering how to navigate the process of grief recovery. In this article, we'll take a closer look at healing after your initial loss and how you can support yourself following the grieving period.
How Does Grief Affect Senior Emotional Health?
Although grief can be difficult at any age, it affects seniors much differently. Often, the major losses for seniors include lifelong friends or spouses.
In addition, many older folks suffer from cognitive impairment as a result of diseases like dementia. This can make the loss even more confusing if they cannot remember that their loved one is gone.
Seniors often face social isolation as well. While retirement means more time for relaxation, it also means less social interaction. Empty nesters without a spouse may feel alone in a home too big for their needs.
Healing After Loss
After you experience a major loss, you may feel disconnected and lost. Here are some ways that you can begin the healing process:
- Acknowledge Your Feelings
- Find a Bereavement Therapist
- Be Kind to Yourself
- Focus on Your Health
- Join a Bereavement Group
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Pushing away your feelings may feel good in the moment, but it can do damage in the long run. The best way to work through grief is to acknowledge your feelings.
Some of the most common feelings that surface during bereavement include:
- Anger
- Sadness
- Denial
- Despair
- Relief
- Numbness
- Anxiety
When you begin to have an intense feeling, sit with it and identify it. Welcome it and feel it fully. Usually, the feeling will go away if you focus fully on it.
Find a Bereavement Therapist
A professional has the skill and expertise to help you work through complex emotions and grief. A bereavement therapist can offer coping mechanisms and assist you with talking through your feelings.
Every therapy plan is different, but you may start with a few sessions covering your loss and the feelings surrounding it. Then, the therapist can equip you with the tools you need to cope with strong emotions in the real world.
The ultimate goal is for you to be able to deal with sudden emotional changes on your own by applying methods that bring you comfort.
Be Kind to Yourself
Although routine and stability can be important when grieving, you should also acknowledge that it is hard. Overall, it is essential to be kind to yourself.
If that means taking a few extra days to spend in bed, so be it. You may want to order in rather than cook. How you take care of yourself is up to you.
Focus on Your Health
Making positive steps to maintain your health is vital during the bereavement period. Try to eat regularly and drink plenty of water. Stay active.
Your sleep may be impacted, but try to get your normal amount of shut-eye so you can rest and recharge. Experiencing strong emotions can use up a lot more energy than normal.
Join a Bereavement Group
Grief support groups are a fantastic resource because you can connect with others going through the same life experiences.
Bereavement groups can take place either in person or online. So, if you cannot find a group in Blair, NE, consider looking for online resources or social media groups.
Support After Grief
Even after your initial bereavement period is over, you may still need extra support. There is no official timeline for when you stop grieving your loved one.
Here are some of the ways that you can find support after the first phase of coping with loss:
- Ongoing Therapy
- Starting a New Hobby
- Spending Time With Family and Friends
- Accepting That Recovery Is Not Linear
- Celebrating Your Loved One
Ongoing Therapy
Your therapeutic journey does not have to end after bereavement counseling. Regular therapy can be beneficial for many other reasons, such as life transitions and healing from trauma.
You may be able to retain your grief counselor, or you may need to find another professional who better aligns with your needs.
Starting a New Hobby
Grief can often leave a hole in your life that is impossible to fill. Nothing will ever take the place of your loved one, but you can certainly keep yourself busy.
Try a new hobby or skill that you have always wanted to learn. Invest time in a project that you can work on a little bit every day.
Spending Time With Family and Friends
Often, a loss reminds us to value our family and friends who are still alive. Prioritize those close to you and make time for them in your life.
It can be as simple as catching up over dinner or taking a walk with your loved ones. The important part is that you are spending quality time together.
Accepting That Recovery Is Not Linear
You may be surprised when unresolved feelings of grief bubble up at the most inopportune moments. Remember that this is completely normal.
One day, you may feel on top of the world. The next might be spent in tears. It is all part of the grief recovery timeline.
Celebrating Your Loved One
It may seem far off now, but you will eventually reach a point where you can look back on your time with your loved one and feel joy at the happy memories.
Actively celebrate your loved one by doing their favorite activities or thinking of them in a way that honors their memory.
Start Your Grief Recovery Journey Today
Grief recovery is an incredibly complex process. With the right support system, you can set yourself on he right path to optimal aging and mental wellness.
Carter Place Senior Living is here to help. Whatever stage of life you are in, our caring staff and premier senior living community will set you up for success.
Are you thinking about making the transition to a senior living community? Contact us today or schedule a tour at our location in Blair, NE. Let's get started!