One of the hardest parts of taking care of a senior parent is helping them navigate grief. Whether your mom or dad has lost their partner, a sibling, or a close friend, grief can take a hard toll on your senior parent. Even if your parent seems like they are handling their grief well, they may not be. It’s very common for parents to hide their emotions from their children, even their adult children, in order to spare their children.
If your senior lost a spouse or partner that was your other parent, they may not talk to you about their grief because they don’t want to add to your grief. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t having a hard time managing their grief.
If you’re worried that your mom or dad is struggling after a big loss but they don’t want to open up to you about their feelings, there are some tools that can help. Try connecting your mom or dad with these tools to help them process their loss in a healthy way:
Companion Care At Home
Companion care at home is a fantastic tool for seniors living independently. If your mom or dad has companion care at home they will get regular visits from a care provider that is there just to listen and talk to them. A care provider will visit on a regular schedule and can do things like talk to your mom or dad about their feelings, help them process their grief, help them learn how to move forward, and help them find purpose again.
Counseling or Therapy
Talking to a professional counselor or therapist can be a powerful way to process grief. A therapist provides a safe space for your senior parent to share their emotions and discuss their loss.
They can offer strategies to handle feelings like sadness, anger, or loneliness. And your mom or dad may be more likely to open up about their feelings because they feel like they aren’t a burden to you by sharing those feelings.
Grief Support Groups
Connecting with others who have experienced similar losses can provide comfort and companionship for your mom or dad. Grief support groups bring people together to share their stories, listen, and offer encouragement.
These groups help your parent realize they are not alone in their grief. Hearing how others have coped can inspire hope and provide new coping strategies.
Journaling or Creative Outlets
Writing down feelings in a journal is a simple but effective way for your mom or dad to cope with grief. Journaling allows your parent to express emotions they may not feel comfortable sharing out loud. It’s a private, judgment-free tool that helps them reflect on their memories and process their loss.
In addition to journaling, other creative outlets like painting, music, or crafting can give your mom or dad an outlet for their grief. Engaging in creative activities gives your parent a chance to focus on something positive, providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment during a challenging time.
If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Oak Brook, IL, please contact the caring staff at Suburban Home Care today at (630) 964-9000.
There are several great reasons why Suburban Home Care® should be your choice for quality homecare. All of our Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are screened, trained, bonded and insured.
Every family needs to be aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hire becomes injured while working for you, you will become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This has left several families very vulnerable when their caregiver injured themselves at their home.
The potential to lose everything you have worked so hard to achieve seems an unnecessary risk. Every one of Suburban Home Care®’s employees are completely covered by insurance so you and your loved ones can relax knowing that if something unforeseen happens to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance.
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