Grief Therapy for Seniors: Finding Support and Healing
The older you grow, the more likely you are to experience grief. According to the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, seniors 65 and over are more susceptible to loss than any other group.
If you've recently gone through a major loss, it can feel like you don't know what to do next. That's where grief therapy comes into play.
What is grief therapy, and how can it help you when coping with loss? Read on to learn how grief therapists can benefit your emotional health and well-being.
Symptoms of Grief in Seniors
Although some of the symptoms of grief are the same across generations, you may notice specific attributes in seniors. Grief can hit harder when you're older if the person you lose is a spouse or a child.
Some of the most common symptoms of grief in seniors include:
- Sadness
- Insomnia or sleep issues
- Nausea or intestinal troubles
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Despair
- Anger
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite
Many of these symptoms are normal, but that does not mean they aren't painful.
What is Grief Therapy?
Grief therapy, or bereavement counseling, is a special type of therapy that specifically addresses the process of healing from grief.
Grief therapy may be different from regular therapy because it tackles the complex emotions involved in mourning and gives you tools to help navigate the grieving process in your everyday life.
Grief Therapy Methods
Like any therapeutic practice, many different methods can assist with grieving. Your therapist may recommend a certain method based on your specific needs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on your thoughts. In this type of therapy, you identify negative thoughts that make it difficult for you to cope with your grief.
Then, the key is to reframe the thoughts into something positive. In CBT, you also learn healthier coping mechanisms, which form the behavioral aspect of the treatment.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Although you may want to escape your mind because of painful thoughts, mindfulness-based therapy tackles them head-on. The concept of mindfulness teaches participants to sit with thoughts and feel feelings, without judgment.
Once you ride through the initial emotions associated with the thoughts, you may find that a weight has been lifted. Mindfulness-based therapy helps you learn self-compassion, the act of forgiving yourself, as well as emotional regulation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy is common when processing grief. One of the hardest things to do when you mourn a loved one is accept that he or she is gone.
In this type of therapy, you focus on acceptance, as well as the feelings that come with that emotion. Many people feel guilty when they start to accept reality. The goal is to move forward emotionally while still honoring your loved one.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy focuses on working the loss into your life story. If you find yourself having difficulty accepting the loss, this type of therapy can be beneficial as well.
When you go through a major loss, you may find that you lose your sense of purpose. Narrative therapy aims to restore that sense of purpose and help you realize that your life is worth living, despite tribulations.
Senior Support Groups
Some one-on-one therapy options can be expensive. However, group therapy is a great alternative if you want to benefit from therapy, but are on a budget.
Group therapy also lets you see unique perspectives on loss. You can connect with people who are going through a similar situation as yourself.
Benefits of Grief Therapy
During an already challenging time in your life, grief therapy offers many benefits. Here are some of the key advantages of bereavement counseling.
Learn Coping Skills
When it comes to bereavement, the best way out is through. However, that doesn't mean that you can't learn coping skills to make it easier.
The best time to use coping techniques is when you feel overwhelmed by emotion. Work with your therapist to find coping methods that work for you. Make sure they are healthy coping mechanisms, not dangerous or destructive habits.
Receive Emotional Support
Even if you find solace in friends and family, sometimes they just do not understand what you're going through. A grief counselor who is specially trained in bereavement can support you emotionally when you're in mourning.
Help With Acceptance
Acceptance is one of the five stages of grief, but that doesn't make it any easier. Accepting your loved one is gone and trying to move on can be incredibly challenging.
A trained grief therapist can help you work through the acceptance phase so you can slowly transition back to normalcy.
Personalized Approach
You can take advice online and follow bloggers or experts, but it will never replace the personalized help you can receive from a bereavement therapist.
A grief counselor knows every detail about your unique situation. They can evaluate your feelings and go more in-depth so they will be able to tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs.
The treatment plan depends on factors such as your age, who the deceased was to you, and how far you've already gone in your grieving process. Your therapist may also be able to give you an estimate of how many sessions you will need.
Find Meaning in Your Life
After your loved one is gone, it may be hard to find meaning in your life. You may wonder, what is the point of getting up each day without your loved one?
Grief therapy can teach you how to find more purpose. For instance, if you reside in a senior living community, you can explore new hobbies or make friends.
Consider Grief Therapy for Seniors
If your elderly loved one has recently experienced a major loss, they don't have to go through it alone. Grief therapy is an effective way to get the help they need.
Are you seeking out a new senior living community? LakeHouse Menomonee is here to help. Our pet-friendly community allows seniors to thrive during their golden years.
Want to learn more? Contact us today to get started. We'll answer any questions you may have.