Grief Rituals for Seniors: Finding Healing Through Routine
According to an academic article published in Age and Ageing, older people are more likely to experience bereavements than any other age group. While half of the study group reported that the death of a family member was expected, many felt unprepared. These seniors experienced changes to their physical, mental, and emotional health.
In its extreme form, grief can be connected to an increased mortality risk. Using grief rituals could help you navigate your own emotions before they become detrimental to your health.
Ready to prioritize senior mental health while living in beautiful Riverside, CA? Read on to learn how!
Evaluate Senior Mental Health
The first step to emotional wellness is to recognize and acknowledge your grief. You may experience mixed emotions, such as:
- Anger
- Guilt
- Sadness
- Shock/disbelief
- Fear
Remind yourself that grief is a natural reaction to loss. It's an emotional suffering that occurs when someone we love is taken away.
Recognize when your grief begins to disrupt your routine and physical health. For example, you may struggle to sleep, eat, or concentrate.
Other physical symptoms of grief include:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or gain
- Aches and pains
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Lowered immunity
Don't avoid or suppress your grief. Instead, seek grief support for seniors and prioritize your emotional wellness. Ignoring your grief will only prolong your pain.
Unresolved grief may cause complications. Consider exploring your senior living community's wellness programs. Relying on their resources will help you begin the process toward healing.
Find Grief Support for Seniors
It's normal to withdraw from friends and family members while navigating grief. However, relying on a support system could help you through the grieving process.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in four US adults lacks social or emotional support. Another one in three feels lonely.
Social isolation could increase your risk for:
- Dementia
- Suicidality and self-harm
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease and stroke
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Earlier death
Turn to friends, family members, and the support system at your senior living community. They can help you navigate your grief.
Some people may want to help, but won't know what to say. For those who haven't experienced grief, they may feel awkward or unsure of how to help, and they may want to avoid saying the wrong things.
Express what you need. If other family members are also grieving, lean on one another.
Professional Grief Support for Seniors
Consider joining a support group and talking with other seniors who understand what you're going through. Learn from their experiences navigating grief. They may have grief rituals and techniques you can use.
You can find grief support groups in Riverside through:
- Hospitals
- Counseling centers
- Hospices
- Funeral homes
Your senior living community may be able to direct you to other resources. Talking to a licensed mental health professional can help you apply effective coping techniques. They can provide personalized tips as you encounter obstacles.
For example, they can help you recognize triggers that may elicit an emotional response. Certain smells, dates (such as a loved one's birthday or Christmas), and places may trigger your grief.
A good therapist can help you recognize and navigate these triggers. They can provide you with techniques you can use before your grief becomes overwhelming.
Emotional Wellness Techniques
Emotional wellness techniques can include:
- Journaling
- Gratitude practices
- Breathing exercises
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
These practices allow you to remain present while identifying and navigating your emotions. Remember, grieving is an individualized process. Try a few different techniques to determine what works best for you.
For example, journaling can help you process your grief. Start by writing down triggers you've identified. Note how you felt after encountering each trigger.
Journaling will help you recognize and understand your emotions. Other benefits of journaling include the following:
- Stress relief
- Combat depression and anxiety
- Stronger communication skills
- Better sleep
- Creativity
- Better mood
- Memory preservation
Consider writing a letter to your loved one. You can tell them everything you weren't able to before they passed, which may be cathartic.
Using mindfulness practices will help you remain rooted in the present. This can help you identify your feelings as you grieve.
You're allowed to grieve at your own pace. Be patient with yourself throughout this process.
Honor Your Loved One
Honor your loved one alongside friends and family members who knew them. You can make new traditions together, such as:
- Visiting their gravesite
- Cooking their favorite meal
- Listening to their favorite band
- Visiting their favorite places
- Setting a place at the table for them
- Lighting a candle in remembrance
- Volunteering for a cause they supported
- Donating to a charity they supported
- Looking at old photos
If you're struggling to remember your loved one, explore your senior living community's memory care and loss programs. They can help you discover new ways to honor your loved one.
Get Creative
Creative outlets can help you relieve stress as you navigate your grief. These may include:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Writing
- Dancing
- Playing an instrument
Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar for more creative outlets. Maintaining hobbies or finding new ones can improve your mood and help you connect with others.
Prioritize Aging and Healing
Use exercise to prioritize aging and healing. According to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), grief can accelerate biological aging. This could lead to the earlier development of chronic diseases.
Exercising can improve your mood and health. Explore your senior living community's fitness program for classes.
Apply Effective Grief Rituals Today
Developing grief rituals will help you navigate your emotions, improving your senior mental health. As you try these techniques, remember: you don't have to do it alone.
Discovery Commons Raincross is the top senior living community in Riverside, CA. Our team applies an integrative approach to wellness through holistic practices to stimulate the mind, body, and soul.
Enjoy our exclusive senior living programs, including chef-prepared meals through Sensations Dining, engaging activities through Celebrations, and comprehensive wellness programs through Dimensions Health & Fitness. Contact us now to schedule your tour!