How to Survive the Loss of a Spouse in Your Senior Years?

You always knew this day (loss of a spouse) would come, but somehow, it never seemed natural until the day it finally happened. Decades of marriage, knowing that your best friend, your soulmate, was there beside you made anything that life could throw at you tolerable.  

This loss of spouse in the elderly age, however, is almost more than you can bear, so what do you do? No matter where you look, you can still see him sitting in his same easy chair or sputtering with the old car in the garage.  

You can see him mowing the grass or talking to the neighbor in the morning as he steps out to pick up the morning paper. Things will change now, and here you are alone, trying to absorb the shock. Yes, it’s a difficult transition, but there are things you can do to ease you into the next stage of your life. 

Filling Up Time To Cope With The Loss of a Spouse In The Elderly Years? 

The loss of a spouse cabe b a great pain, and you need to find the best alternatives for the same. For example, the alternatives can be your family members, children, or close friends. So, after this incident, it’s very difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

Now, it’s time to discuss the top ways to survive the loss of a spouse in your Senior years. 

1. Spend More Time with the Kids and Grandkids

When you are surrounded by people, you won’t feel so all alone. If your kids live nearby, have them over as often as possible. Maybe the grandkids could spend the night once a week or perhaps you could go along with them to the park or a movie. The key is to spend less time by yourself and more time with the people you still have in your life. They cannot completely fill the void, but being with those you love can help dull that aching pain of loss.

2. Have You Thought of Moving?

It could be that the home you shared for so many years is making it harder to let go. There is always something that is going to trigger a memory. That can be a good thing, but it can also keep the pain of loss raw. Unless you allow yourself to heal, that pain will never dull, even over time. Perhaps you could move to an assisted living Jackson NJ Bella Terra residence. 

Here, you will be part of a vibrant community; even though you have your own apartment, you will not be alone. You will have friends and peers, many of whom have gone through what you are now experiencing. It could be a new beginning for you to leave the memories where they belong: in the past.

3. Stay Busy

One of the best suggestions offered by other seniors who have gone through the pain you are experiencing now is to stay busy. You could volunteer at the local library or perhaps go to bingo with friends who have been asking you for years to join them. 

What about finally learning to play mahjong with a group of friends or movie night at the senior center?

Suffering a loss like this after decades of being ‘the other half of a relationship is one of the deepest pains you will ever experience. Unfortunately, no one can tell you what will help you because we each experience loss differently. 

The Healing Journey To Cope With Loss Of Spouse In The Elderly Years 

While there are ample opportunities to fill your time with things that can help you cope with the loss of your partners. However, you will need more than them actually to help you.  

No matter what you do, you will have to come home. You will have to face an empty house. A house where you had someone who would be waiting for you. Someone who promised you that they will be there till the end. Now that the journey has come to an end. What now?  

Therefore, being busy helps. Moving out also works, but grief is something you cannot shed. It will not leave you. Thus, the best way to cope is to heal. It is to accept that they are no more, but you are here. So you need to make the most of what is left.  

Qualified counselor’s Help 

Talking can actually help you at this stage. As a result, we urge you to go for a professional counselor who can help you and listen at the same time.  

Remember, having a person who listens to you is very important as it allows you to verbalize what you are feeling. Hence, take professional help as it will enable you to reach in deep.  

Self-care 

Self-care is another way to deal with the loss of a spouse in the elderly age. It will help you understand that you are essentially and that you are still alive.  

It gives you that hope that, yes, life is not over yet. You need to remember that, in the end, you are all you have. Therefore, take care of yourself. Ensure that you feel okay.  

Get A Furry Companion 

Finally, you lost your partner. There is no way you can bring that person back. However, you can undoubtedly get a furry companion who would keep you company. Someone who is dependent on you and someone you can depend on for emotional support. 

Therefore, there is n way to replace who you lost, but you can get a new friend. This will help you understand that life is still beautiful and that you have someone who still loves you.  

The Final Thoughts 

The best advice is to stay busy and perhaps alter your scenery just enough so as not to be bombarded with constant reminders of the past. By learning to le can also learn to move forward, and that’s just what he’d want for you – a life free from pain and sadness. Hold on to that so you can begin to heal.  

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