When your senior parent is grieving the loss of a spouse you may feel helpless and not know what you can do to help them. It’s very difficult to watch someone you love go through the deep pain of losing their spouse or life partner. But you’re not helpless, and there are things that you can do to support your senior parent through their grief.

One thing that will help them is to remember that grief is a process, and it can take a long time. It’s normal for seniors who are grieving to have good and bad days and plenty of ups and downs. Providing emotional support for your senior parent no matter what they are feeling is one of the best things you can do for them. Some other things you can do to help your senior parent while they grieving are:

Be Present and Listen

It’s healthy for your senior parent to talk about their grief, and about their partner. Try to actively listen without judgment, without interrupting, and without trying to interject your feelings into their memories. Make them a cup of tea and sit and listen.

Acknowledge the Grief

Recognize the significance of the loss and acknowledge the grief your parent is experiencing. Encourage them to express their emotions and share memories of their spouse. Avoid minimizing or dismissing their feelings. Whatever they are feeling is valid and needs to be acknowledged.

Encourage Your Senior Parent to Express Their Emotions

Grief encompasses a range of emotions, from sadness and anger to confusion and relief. Assure your parent that whatever emotions they are feeling are normal and acceptable. Encourage the expression of emotions through talking, writing, or creative outlets like art or music.

Create Something to Remember Them By

Help your senior parent assemble a scrapbook, photo album, or some other memorial to their spouse. The process of writing down memories, going through old photos, and formalizing grief into a ritual can help your senior parent move through the stages of grief.

Do the Paperwork

Grieving can be overwhelming, and handling practical matters may become challenging for a senior parent. Offer assistance with tasks such as organizing paperwork, notifying relevant parties, or managing household responsibilities. Taking care of these practicalities can alleviate some of the stress during a difficult time.

Find Them a Support Group

Encourage your remaining parent to join a grief support group. Sharing experiences with others who have gone through similar losses can provide a sense of understanding and community. Many communities offer grief support groups specifically tailored for seniors. Call the local senior center to see if they have a support group for seniors grieving their spouses or know where you can find one.

Celebrate Milestones and Anniversaries

Acknowledge significant dates and anniversaries related to the deceased spouse. Celebrate the positive memories and milestones by engaging in activities that honor their life. This could include visiting their favorite places, cooking their favorite meal, or participating in meaningful traditions. Be sure to include their memory in all family celebrations like holidays or special events. Talk about them, set a place at the table for them, or display a photo of them so they are included.

Get Companion Care at Home

The hardest part of losing a spouse for a senior who lives at home is being alone in their home. The silence can feel huge and overwhelming. With companion care at home, your senior parent will have someone with them to talk to, watch TV with, eat meals with, or go for a walk with. Having someone in the house with them can make the transition easier.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home in Burlingame, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care today (415) 463-1400

Aviva In-Home Care provides exceptional senior home care in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Lafayette, Orinda, and surrounding areas.

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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