Healing After Loss: Emotional Wellness in Senior Living

According to The Recovery Village, about 2.5 million Americans die annually, leaving an average of five grieving people behind. If you recently lost a loved one in Brooklyn, NY, don't neglect your senior mental wellness.

Grief can take a toll on your emotional, mental, and physical health if ignored. It could affect your ability to eat and sleep before causing a decline in your overall quality of life.

Healing after loss is a process, but it is possible. Read on for our strategies and resources for grieving seniors in Brooklyn.

 

Seek Group Grief Support

 

You may start isolating yourself after losing a loved one. Maintaining high-quality social connections benefits our mental and physical health. According to the World Health Organization, one in four seniors experiences social isolation.

Social isolation can increase your risk of chronic conditions, including:

  • Depression and anxiety
  • Dementia
  • Self-harm and suicidality
  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Earlier death

Instead of isolating yourself, talk to friends and family. Maintaining these social connections can help you heal.

 

Socializing After Loss

 

It's normal to feel overwhelmed in large groups after losing a loved one. Start small and go at your own pace.

For example, you can connect one-on-one with a family member. Express what you're feeling. They can validate your emotions and help you cope with your grief.

Over time, consider joining larger groups in low-stress, informal settings. For example, you can go for a walk alongside a few friends or invite them over for lunch.

As you feel more comfortable, consider volunteering or spending time with larger groups. Explore your senior living community's events calendar for upcoming events.

Remaining social will encourage you to reach out when you need help. Your friends may direct you toward professional grief support resources they've used in the past.

 

Awkwardness Is Normal

 

Some friends and family members may not know how to comfort you after you've lost a loved one. For those who haven't experienced loss before, grief can seem frightening or confusing. Remain patient.

They may not know how to help. Anticipate some awkwardness and navigate this process together.

 

Improve Senior Mental Wellness

 

Rely on professional senior mental wellness services to navigate the grieving process. For example, you can find bereavement counseling opportunities.

According to an article in JAMA Psychiatry, about 9% of bereaved older women experience complicated grief. This mental health problem is associated with:

  • Avoidant behaviors/social isolation
  • Negative health outcomes
  • Increased suicidality
  • Functional impairment

Complicated grief treatment is a more effective treatment than grief-focused interpersonal psychotherapy, according to randomized trials. Talk to a therapist to discover effective treatment options and coping techniques.

You can find other grief support services through:

  • Religious groups
  • Online support groups
  • Local hospitals
  • Community resources
  • Online therapy or counseling sessions
  • Books

 

Recognize Triggers

 

Talk to your grief therapist about the triggers you've encountered. These may include:

  • Anniversaries
  • Holidays
  • Certain places
  • Important milestones
  • Certain scents
  • Birthdays

Triggers can elicit painful memories and feelings. Recognizing your triggers can help you prepare for and navigate their impact. Your grief therapist can provide coping techniques to help you navigate these triggers.

 

Emotional Healing in Aging

 

Prioritize self-care as you learn how to navigate your grief. Neglecting your mental, emotional, and physical health can lead to burnout. Here are some self-care practices that encourage emotional healing in aging seniors.

 

Confront Your Feelings

 

Ignoring your feelings can cause difficult emotions to fester. Instead of bottling them, confront and process your feelings. Leaving grief unresolved may lead to:

  • Health problems
  • Substance abuse
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Consider writing in a journal. Note your triggers, including where and when they occurred. Write down how you felt and what helped you cope.

Otherwise, try talking through your emotions. Speaking with a friend, family member, or therapist can help you make sense of what you're feeling.

 

Prioritize Your Health

 

Taking care of your physical health can better prepare you for emotional hurdles. It can also make combating stress and fatigue easier. Try to do the following:

  • Get seven to nine hours of sleep each night
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet
  • Exercise regularly

If you're struggling to eat a healthy diet or exercise, explore your senior living community's wellness programs. You can rely on their dining program for nutritious meals. Explore their fitness program to discover exercise groups.

If you find yourself skipping meals, consider asking friends or family members to join you. Turning meals into an opportunity to socialize can be comforting and uplifting.

 

Find Joy

 

Have something to look forward to every day, whether it's:

  • Cooking a new meal
  • Painting
  • Listening to music
  • Dancing to the music
  • Biking or walking with friends
  • Volunteering
  • Reading a book
  • Exercising

Participating in fun activities can improve your mood. As you connect with others, healing may get easier.

Try expressing your feelings through creative outlets. These can include:

  • Painting or drawing
  • Dancing
  • Writing
  • Sculpting
  • Journaling
  • Playing an instrument

You can discover fun and engaging activities through your senior living community's events calendar. Try a variety of activities to discover new hobbies.

 

Honor Their Memory

 

Honor your loved one's memory alongside friends and family members. For example, you can:

  • Plant a tree or start a garden in their honor
  • Host a celebration of life ceremony
  • Visit their grave
  • Create a scrapbook
  • Exchange stories

 

Life After Loss

 

Finding a life after loss is an ongoing process. Be patient with yourself as you apply these tips.

If you find the memories of your loved one slipping away, consider exploring memory care options. You can rely on professional resources and services through your local senior living community.

 

Start Healing After Loss

 

Remember, healing after loss takes time. Be patient with yourself and don't hesitate to ask for help.

Look no further for resources and grief support than The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights. We offer world-class living and a curated lifestyle with your needs in mind.

Discover our spacious residences, Watermark University classes, Prema Memory Support, Gourmet Bites Cuisine, and other exclusive lifestyle programs that will help you live your best life. Contact us now to schedule a tour.

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