Grief Recovery for Seniors: Finding Strength After Loss
Did you know that grief becomes more common the longer we live? According to the National Institutes of Health, older people are more likely to experience grief simply because they've lived longer than others. As such, it's a mathematical reality that we're all destined to experience grief.
Don't let this get you down; grief is a beautiful thing, even in its deepest agonies. Grief is a heartfelt reaction to the loss of someone who meant the world to you.
Grief recovery has a home in Hayward, California, where the beautiful nature and rich history can soothe our minds and hearts. But how can you handle emotional health in aging and healing after loss?
If you're curious about mental wellness for seniors, we're here to help. Read on for a brief overview of grief recovery and coping with grief.
What Is Grief?
To start, what is grief, and how can we manage its symptoms? It's important for us to know as much as possible about the condition before we dive into treatments and recovery.
According to the Mayo Clinic, grief is the experience of coping with loss. Many of us view grief as the direct result of losing a loved one.
Grief isn't only from losing family members, however. Losing friends and colleagues can also trigger grief.
As such, another important definition comes from the American Psychological Association, or APA. The APA describes grief as the anguish we experience after a significant loss. A significant loss could even include role models and celebrities that we've attached sentiment to.
In short, grief is the hardship and emotional turmoil following the loss of someone important to you. Grief also can be pre-emptive, such as grieving someone with a terminal condition who hasn't passed yet.
How Grief Affects the Elderly
Grief impacts the elderly more than it impacts others. As we discussed previously, a great reason for this is due to the reality that living longer means seeing more loved ones pass.
There's more to it than something so surface-level, though. According to HelpGuide, bereavement is one of the most common causes of depression among seniors. These events are among the most powerful life transitions, but what is a life transition?
A life transition is any large transition in periods of life. These may include:
- Changing careers
- Moving cities, states, or nations
- Changes in independence and mobility
- Retirement and a loss of a support system
Elders are also more likely to lose loved ones as a result of illnesses and death. These experiences can cause a profound sadness, often resulting in a depressive state.
Perhaps most cruel is the commonly-seen sensation that grief does not "wait its turn," so to speak. Many seniors have experienced losing multiple people within a short time frame. When this occurs, our minds and hearts are even more troubled as we don't have time to finish our grieving process before it's compounded.
Seniors also may struggle with unresolved losses from earlier times in their lives. Sometimes this is an unfinished grieving process, while it also may be a loss they didn't recognize as "grief-worthy."
Healing After Loss: Mental Wellness for Seniors
It's crucial for seniors to receive appropriate support after a loss. Coping with grief is difficult for any of us, but support after bereavement is especially important for seniors.
Here are some of the many ways you can focus on grief recovery.
Improved Socialization
One of the most common ways to battle bereavement is to improve one's social life. Did you know that loneliness is among the greatest challenges for the elderly?
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 35% of adults aged 45 and older battle loneliness, while the number rises to 43% when looking at adults 60 or older.
Loneliness is especially difficult during the bereavement process. For many seniors, it may feel as if the loneliness is a direct result of the loss, worsening the issue.
It's important not to view socialization as an attempt to replace the one you've lost. Doing so can worsen some mental symptoms, such as feelings of guilt and anger.
A More Active Lifestyle
Another great way to improve emotional health in aging seniors is to adopt a more active lifestyle. You'll often see this recommended for nearly any condition, as a healthier lifestyle is one of the best ways to improve our hearts, minds, and bodies.
Here at Bellara, we offer a great deal of amenities to help you stay active. We're also happy to provide services that allow you to ignore the daily chores and focus on your wellness.
A more active lifestyle means trying to work in exercise whenever possible. Depending on your condition, it's likely best to speak to a medical professional about an exercise regimen.
Staying active can also help you keep your mind off your troubles. While that can feel like a temporary fix, just having a few hours of a clear mind can do wonders for your mental health.
Rebuilding and Strengthening Connections
When we lose someone close to us, we often turn to fears of losing more loved ones. An ideal way to assuage this fear is to work on rebuilding connections or strengthening those that we have.
Of all processes, this is arguably the most personal. Consider what your relationships are like and who you have in your life that you value most.
Take time out of your day to communicate with these significant individuals. Be honest and open about how much they mean to you and say everything that's in your heart. That way, you aren't left wondering what you could have said if you find yourself in grief later on.
Grief Recovery
Grief recovery is an exceptionally personal process that presents challenges different for each individual. Coping with grief and healing after loss is a common challenge for mental wellness for seniors, making it crucial to understand support after bereavement. Focus on improving your relationships and keep your mind and heart healthy.
At Bellara, we're focused on providing you with a personalized care plan that can give you an unparalleled lifestyle. We provide a celebration of camaraderie and shared moments in a beautiful and vibrant atmosphere that helps you and your neighbors feel like family. Contact us today to discuss meaningful connections, lively lifestyles, and more.