Another Connection: Grief Implicates the Immune System -- TOO
Grieving the Loss of a Spouse: Helping Seniors Move Forward
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By Caleb Anderson
CO-Founder of RecoveryHope.org RecoveryHope.org was started by Caleb and Molly Anderson. After Caleb was admitted to treatment for opiate addiction, Molly made it her mission to learn more about how to help him fight his battles and support him in his recovery. Together they now help other couples and individuals by providing research and resources regarding the many challenges of overcoming drug and alcohol addictions www.recoveryhope.org The death of a spouse does more than devastate the lives of senior citizens. Grief can cripple the immune system, bring on mental health issues like complicated grief and depression, and impact the cognitive health of elderly adults. Even more frightening, after losing a spouse, older adults are 66 percent more likely to die within the next three months. The disruptive effects of grief on the health of senior citizens mean that it’s important for children, grandchildren, and other loved ones to help seniors manage life after the loss of a spouse. When a senior you know has lost someone close, take these steps to help them through a difficult time. Help Manage the Basics A major loss can disrupt decades of comfortable routine and leave your loved one lost and depressed. You can help by ensuring their basic needs don’t go unmet. Deliver healthy meals and take the time to share an occasional meal so you know they’re eating right. Provide assistance with household chores or hire temporary housekeeping help. For seniors, depression and cognitive decline can go hand in hand, so make an effort to help seniors keep track of everyday responsibilities like medication, appointments, and keeping the pantry stocked. Even after the initial wave of grief has passed, hired help can be a great resource for widowed seniors. After decades of marriage, elderly adults could struggle to manage all the household tasks on their own. Having a handyman, cleaning service, and grocery delivery service on call can ease their stress. Get Out and About Many seniors don’t have much of a network outside of their spouse and relatives. When their significant other dies, their once-partnered life becomes suddenly solitary. The resulting social isolation can be disastrous to senior health, leading to increased mortality, hastened cognitive decline, and increased risk of anxiety and depression. To maintain vitality in the face of loss, help your loved one grow and maintain a social life. Church services, volunteer opportunities, hobby groups, and game nights are great ways for seniors to stay socially active. Grief support groups provide empathy, fortitude, and friendship during the healing process. For a senior who struggles to get out, a pet offers wonderful companionship; opting for a service dog offers the added benefit of support for everyday living.
Look into Downsizing The death of a spouse may mark a senior’s first time living alone in many years. For seniors living in single-family homes, this can be a profoundly isolating experience. Rather than experience the drastic decline in quality of life that isolation can bring, seniors in this situation should consider moving. Swapping a house for a smaller abode in a tight-knit community is a great idea for most elderly adults. It’s not only a more manageable home size, it also offers greater access to social opportunities. This is especially true for apartment or condo living, where seniors can make friends without leaving their front porch. Buying a new home is likely to be intimidating for seniors, especially if they’ve lived in the same home for many years. Help your loved one find a local, trustworthy realty professional to help navigate the selling and buying process. Some realtors today are even becoming specially trained in the specific needs of senior home buyers. Conclusion The loss of a spouse is a dreaded moment in the lives of senior adults, and family support is essential for helping the elderly through this trying time. Not only does it help seniors cope with grief, the support and care of loved ones help seniors survive loss with their wellness intact. When your loved one is in need, make sure you’re there. |
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AARP (April 2017)
Antipsychotic Drug Use for Dementia Patients Still Widespread Many nursing home residents still receive potentially fatal drugs to sedate behavior https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2017/nursing-homes-antipsychotic-drugs-fd.html 
Medscape (Feb. 2009)
Psychotropic Medications Associated With Falls in Elderly Patients https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/713335 |