It’s difficult to console a person who is grieving the loss of a spouse, but it’s especially challenging when that person is your parent.
All types of feelings follow the loss of a loved one, and they’re all normal. Some of these can include:
- Guilt
- Anger
- Sadness
- Loss
- Fear
- Shock
- Loneliness
- Numbness
In addition, your parent may begin to have difficulty sleeping and lose their appetite. They may also have a hard time making decisions and exhibit problems with concentration.
Advice for Supporting Your Bereaved Parent
Your parent needs your help, even though you may also be trying to put your own life back together after the loss. How can you support a parent grieving the loss of a spouse?
Focus on Compassionate Contact
Since your parent is likely feeling lonely, it’s a good idea to contact them frequently. Whether you visit them often or give them a call each day just to see how they are doing, a few minutes of your time can go a long way in relieving some of their loneliness.
Lend a Hand
Your parent probably has many tasks to take care of—closing or transferring their spouse’s bank accounts, paying their final credit card bills, notifying institutions of the spouse’s passing. These can quickly become overwhelming for them.
Helping with to-do lists, whether it be mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, or anything else can relieve a lot of their stress.
Plan Ahead
Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries are often difficult for a parent grieving the loss of their spouse. People missing a loved one can dread those days and feel unhappy at their arrival.
Planning family get-togethers or special activities ahead of time will help with those negative feelings and give your parent something to look forward to.
Explore New Living Options
If your parent is left with a big house or too much responsibility to handle alone, suggest they enter an independent living community or an assisted living facility. With a new living arrangement, your parent could meet new people, form new friendships, and enjoy activities and opportunities that promote independence while being amongst supportive peers.
Independent Living in Jacksonville, Florida
A parent that chooses a community for independent living in Jacksonville, Florida, can enjoy their freedom while still having caregivers nearby, should they need help with anything.
An independent living community can reaffirm your parent’s worth and purpose in the world. It can also help your parents rebuild self-confidence, try new hobbies and activities, and cultivate a happy, active lifestyle.
Assisted Living Facilities in Jacksonville
Assisted living facilities operate with the ultimate goal of promoting independence while also providing a safe, helpful environment in which your parent can live.
An assisted living facility can open the door to many healthy opportunities. These facilities offer many of the same benefits that independent living communities do. They provide more assistance with daily activities, should your parent need it.
Supporting a parent after losing a partner is never easy. However, making frequent contact, helping with tasks, planning for hard days, and encouraging a new living arrangement may help more than you know.
