We cordially invite you to our office at ul. Probostwo 6A today. At 8:00 we will start an additional duty of a psychologist – crisis interventionist, addressed to senior citizens. The duty is organized as part of the Lublin Senior Days and will last until 12:00.
If you have any questions – please contact us by phone at 81 466 55 46.
Many senior citizens know the feeling when their loved ones pass away – family members, friends, neighbors. Although this is the natural order of things, we are depressed then and often in the face of the death of loved ones it is difficult for us to look to the future with joy. If you have lost a loved one, it is very important to experience mourning.
What to pay attention to?
How to help yourself?
How to help a senior who has lost a loved one?
How to deal with loss and grief?
Mourning is a time when taking care of yourself and accepting your own feelings are particularly important. In old age, the death of a loved one, such as a partner, means a radical change in lifestyle and rituals that have been developed over the years. Therefore, mourning is a long-term process – this means that recovering for several months, a year – is a completely normal and natural phenomenon. Mourning is a process that allows us to gradually accept a new reality and learn to live without the presence of a loved one. Although it is often associated with pain and suffering, mourning plays an important role in our emotional life:
- It helps us work through the difficult emotions associated with loss;
- It allows us to gradually adapt to a new situation;
- It allows us to preserve memories of the deceased person;
- It gives us time to reflect on our own life and priorities;
- It is worth remembering that there is no one right way to grieve. Each person deals with loss in their own way and at their own pace. Some need more time, others less. Some show emotions openly, others experience them in solitude. All of these reactions are natural and acceptable.
Stages of Grief – The Path to Accepting the Loss
Although the grieving process is individual, researchers have identified certain characteristic stages that most people go through after losing a loved one. Understanding these stages can help you better cope with difficult emotions and prepare for what may lie ahead.
The main stages of mourning:
- Denial and shock – the first stage, where it is hard to believe what happened.
- Anger – the stage where anger and the search for someone to blame appear.
- Bargaining – attempts to negotiate with fate or a higher power.
- Depression – the stage of deep sadness and a sense of hopelessness.
- Acceptance – gradual reconciliation with the loss and finding a new meaning in life.
It is worth noting that these stages do not always occur in the same order and may overlap. Some people may go through them multiple times before finally accepting the loss. Dealing with grief in seniors requires time, patience, and understanding, both from the senior and their environment. It is important to allow yourself to experience emotions, not to close yourself off from others, and to seek support.
- Allow emotions:
Do not suppress feelings, allow for crying, sadness, anger. It is natural and important to express your emotions. - Take care of yourself:
Try to eat healthily, drink, sleep and exercise regularly. Physical well-being affects emotions. - Talk:
Talk to loved ones, friends, family members or a support group. Find someone with whom you can freely express your feelings. You can also call the CIK crisis hotline 733 588 900 or the support line dedicated to seniors. - Keep memories:
Look at photos, listen to music, read diaries. This helps maintain a bond with the deceased. - Find meaning:
Get involved in volunteering, help others, engage in activities that give you joy, find interests and passions, simply something you like to do. - Seek support:
Use the help of specialists such as psychologists, psychotherapists, clergy. - Be understanding towards yourself:
Mourning is a process that takes time. Don’t expect too much from yourself too quickly. - Nurture rituals:
When you feel ready, maintain traditions that were important to the deceased. - Be mindful of yourself:
If mourning becomes too overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask for help. It’s natural that we need support in such difficult times. If you don’t know how to take the first step, we suggest – you can, for example, sign up with a specialist at CIK. A psychologist will talk to you about your feelings, give you understanding and support, and help you determine the next path to overcoming the crisis – e.g. a support group. Call 81 466 55 46 to sign up or find out more.
Tips for those supporting a grieving senior:
- Be present:
Give time and attention, be present in difficult moments when the senior needs support. - Listen:
Be an attentive listener, do not judge, do not interrupt, let the senior express their feelings. - Help:
Offer help with practical matters such as handling formalities, shopping, cooking. - Reminisce:
Talk about the deceased, share memories, do not avoid talking about the loss. - Encourage activity:
Notice that the senior may need physical or intellectual activity. - Understand:
Remember that each person experiences grief differently. Be patient and understanding.
https://glosseniora.pl/…/jak-radzic-sobie-ze-strata…/ access 06.06.2025
https://perfekton.pl/…/22/jak-pomoc-seniorowi-w-zalobie/ access 06.06.2025
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