Grief is a very solitary experience, particularly for older people who have lost a partner, close friends, or even grown-up children. The tendency to bottle up emotions, whether because of generational traditions, a need to appear strong for others, or just not knowing how to communicate their feelings, makes loss much more painful for many seniors. However, with patience and care, loved ones and home care providers can support seniors while grieving, even when they keep their emotions to themselves.

Establish a Caring Environment

Establishing a secure space where seniors feel comfortable expressing their feelings is one of the most important steps to take when trying to support them. This involves being there for them without putting pressure on them to speak, lending an understanding ear without passing judgment, and telling them that their emotions, no matter what they may be, are real.

Promote Expression

Gently encouraging seniors who struggle to communicate their grief can be beneficial. This may include recommending nonverbal expression through hobbies like journaling, arts and crafts projects, or even gardening. Engaging in these activities can offer a feeling of calm and allow an outlet for feelings that might be too strong to express verbally.

Exercise Understanding

Grieving is extremely personal, and each person handles it in their own way. With this in mind, it’s important to understand that it may take seniors who suppress their feelings longer to communicate or even realize their loss. The secret is to be patient.

If they don’t seem upset, don’t rush them or assume they are “over it.” Acknowledge that they might be using silence as a coping technique and show respect for their desire for privacy and space.

Offer Assistance

Seniors with home care services already in place have the much-needed support to help them get daily tasks completed while they’re processing their grief. If loved ones don’t have this valuable service, family members might need to assess whether it’s needed.

This is especially crucial if the loss they’re processing involves someone who may have helped them with their day-to-day tasks. By attending to these needs, home care and loved ones free seniors up to concentrate on their mental health without having to worry about handling everything by themselves.

It is crucial, however, to approach adding support with care so that seniors don’t shut down the idea right away.

Promote Socialization

Being alone can make mourning worse, especially for seniors who may already struggle with loneliness. Encouraging them to participate in social events, such as community events, attending religious services, or just hanging out over coffee with a friend, can give them much-needed human interaction. Home care providers can help with transportation, getting ready, and companionship.

It’s important to not push socialization before they’re ready. Rather, offer it as a suggestion and be patient while they contemplate their next step.

Being present, compassionate, and sympathetic is key to helping a grieving senior who tends to hide their feelings. Both home care professionals and loved ones can take steps to be there when seniors are ready to process, letting them know they’re not alone.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Lafayette, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care today at (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.

Sources:

• https://friendshipcenters.org/coping-with-loss-bereavement-support-for-seniors/#:~:text=Participating%20in%20a%20support%20group,others%20who%20understand%20their%20journey.
• https://www.centerforgrieftherapy.com/older-people-grieve-differently/
• https://www.responsive-homecare.com/help-an-older-adult-who-is-grieving/

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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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