With age, there comes inevitable loss. Watching the ones you love experience grief is heart-wrenching. You naturally want to take this pain away from them, but you can’t. One of the hardest aspects of elderly care is undoubtedly helping someone you love as they work through these kinds of emotions. Though grief is personal and everyone’s experiences are different, here are a few ways you can help during this difficult time. 

Do: 

Listen.

Talking is an essential part of working through grief and making sense of loss. Don’t worry about trying to find the right words to say, but rather, listen to their own musings and be a steady presence by their side.

Make sure they’re taking care of themselves.

Grief is more than just an emotion. It takes a physical toll on a person. It can cause a loss of appetite and make it difficult to sleep. Elderly care becomes more difficult under these circumstances. Therefore, consider bringing them some of their favorite foods—so long as they meet their health guidelines—or setting them up with a soothing sounds CD.

In some circumstances, you may want to look into alternative living arrangements. The staff at an assisted living community could provide 24/7 medical assistance, as well as take care of their dietary and living needs.

Don’t: 

Impose limits on grief. 

Grief has no set timeline and there are no shortcuts. It has to run its course for them to heal. If they feel like you are rushing them through it, they’ll only begin to bottle it up and may develop guilt over their feelings. Be patient. 

Let them get too isolated. 

In the case of married couples, the loss of a partner—especially late in life—can be tremendously disconcerting. Isolation can, on its own, bring about depression and cognitive decline, which may contribute to conditions like Alzheimer’s. Therefore, make an active effort to keep them in contact with others—whether that is by arranging weekly video calls with family members or looking into assisted living communities, where they may form new relationships with their peers.

If your senior loved one can no longer live alone, Longhorn Village is here to help. This living community has two convenient locations in the Austin, TX, area. More than just a living space, they provide compassionate elderly care in addition to a wide range of amenities, ranging from fine arts events to travel packages. Call them today at (512) 382-4664 or visit them online to learn more.