Anyone who has lost a spouse faces a range of emotions and pain. For the young, it is often a sudden, isolated issue. Losing a spouse, however, is just one of the types of grief that seniors experience. Many seniors face a continual stream of loss over time, especially as they give up their homes, vocations, or independence. And the psychological impact in dealing with multiple losses can create bereavement overload.
A person who has invested time, energy, or dreams into anything will need a period of mourning when they no longer have these things. Allowing seniors to accept the grief and work through it will enable them to move past it without getting stuck, leading to long-term depression.
Grief is natural and expected and should be acknowledged and experienced. Depression is part of the process and can last up to two months, although each person’s timeline varies. Other reactions include denial, fatigue, or anger, among other emotions. Sharing the experience with others helps a person move through multiple stages at their own pace.
Read HERE to learn how seniors face grief and loss differently and how a supporting ear can help someone move through the experience.
Hyperlink:
https://www.caringfortheages.com/article/S1526-4114(06)60298-9/fulltext