Over 70% of adults over the age of 65 have experienced at least one bereavement in the last 2.5 years, according to the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration. In fact, older people are more likely to encounter the death of a loved one than any other age group.

Though grief is a natural response to loss, it can sometimes persist. Healing from grief is a process that requires time and patience, but there are resources that can help.

Unsure of how to start coping with loss? Read on for our tips on emotional healing.

Connect With Others

Coping with loss alone can make the process more difficult. Instead, stay connected with your social circle. Talk to friends and family members about how you’re feeling.

This will provide you with opportunities to connect and heal. Try sharing memories about your loved one with your compassionate community. Lean on them when you need help.

Otherwise, social isolation can make emotional healing more challenging. According to the World Health Organization, one in four older people experience social isolation.

Social isolation can negatively affect your mental and physical health, longevity, and quality of life. It may cause:

Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
Impaired attention, memory, and problem-solving skills
Depression and anxiety
Poor sleep
Weakened immunity
Hallucinations and delusions
Increased risk of suicide
Increased risk of substance abuse
Lethargy and apathy
Reduced social skills
Increased stress

Socializing After Loss

Socializing after losing a loved one may seem overwhelming. Remember to go at your own pace. There’s no rush.

Consider volunteering or trying group activities. For example, you can host a potluck or have lunch with friends. Explore your senior living community’s activities calendar for more options.

Choose low-stress, informal outings to ease your way back into socializing. This includes going for a walk or to the movies with friends.

Anticipate Awkwardness

People may feel awkward while trying to comfort you. Grief is confusing and frightening, especially for people who haven’t experienced loss themselves.

Don’t use this as an excuse to retreat from social settings. If a loved one reaches out, it’s because they care. Anticipate some awkwardness.

Consider Bereavement Counseling

Bereavement counseling can help you work through your loss. This can include regular talk therapy with a therapist or grief counselor.

About 9% of bereaved older women experience complicated grief, a serious mental health problem. This is associated with:

Functional impairment
Increased suicidality
Negative health outcomes
Avoidance behaviors

According to this randomized clinical trial, complicated grief treatment (CGT) is a more effective treatment option than grief-focused interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT).

Find senior grief support groups through your senior living community. You can connect with others who understand what you’re feeling. Some groups are specialized (such as groups for people who lost loved ones to cancer).

For other elder support services, explore:

Online support groups
Support books
Community resources
Online therapy or counseling sessions
Local hospitals
Religious groups

Plan Ahead for Triggers

Your grief therapist may encourage you to plan ahead for triggers. These include:

Important milestones
Holidays
Birthdays
Anniversaries

These triggers may awaken painful feelings and memories. Try to prepare yourself for the emotional impact. Your therapist can help you learn how to navigate these triggers.

Practice Self-Care

Learn how to take care of yourself while coping with loss. Otherwise, the stress can deplete your energy, causing you to self-isolate. Here are some ways you can practice self-care while grieving.

Face Your Feelings

Instead of ignoring your grief, learn how to confront and process it. Acknowledging your pain can help you heal. Otherwise, unresolved grief can cause:

Anxiety
Substance abuse
Health problems
Depression

Prioritize Your Health

Don’t neglect your physical health. Make sure to:

Eat a healthy diet
Get enough sleep
Exercise

Prioritizing your health can help you combat fatigue and stress. Improving your physical health may make coping emotionally easier.

Make Mealtime Plans

After losing a loved one, you may lose interest in eating or cooking. Turn mealtimes into a social activity. Eating with friends or family members can help you feel less alone.

Participate in Activities

Try establishing a new routine. Participating in fun activities with friends can help you connect with others. It may help you come to terms with your loss.

Consider:

Going to the movies
Biking or walking
Volunteering
Joining an exercise class
Painting
Listening to uplifting music

Reconnect With Nature

Reconnecting with nature may help you reflect on your feelings. Try processing your grief while gardening, hiking, or during nature walks. These activities can help you connect with something larger than yourself.

Express Your Emotions

Learn how to express your feelings through creative outlets. For example, you can write your thoughts and feelings down in a journal. Other options include:

Painting
Playing an instrument
Dancing
Reading
Writing poetry

These activities can help you cope and grieve in productive ways. They can encourage you to connect with others who share common passions, reducing the risk of social isolation.

Honor Their Memory

Look for ways to honor your loved one’s memory. This can help you celebrate their impact on your life and express gratitude.

Remember, you don’t have to grieve alone. Ask friends and family members to share their own memories. You can:

Host a celebration of life ceremony
Plant a tree or start a garden in their honor
Create a scrapbook of your memories together

Take It One Day at a Time

Healing from grief is an ongoing process. Give yourself time to navigate your emotions.

There may be good and bad days. Be patient and compassionate with yourself throughout this process.

Everyone grieves differently. Don’t allow anyone to tell you how to feel. Instead, acknowledge your emotions and let go when you feel ready.

Start Healing From Grief

Remember, healing from grief takes time. There’s no set schedule. Give yourself grace as you apply these strategies.

Bereavement counseling may make coping with loss easier. You can find elder support resources through your local senior living community.

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