A poster on Aplaceformom.com’s Q&A Forum, posed the following question to the experts:
How can I help Grandma cope with losing Grandpa?
My first piece of advice would be to take a step back and realize that you are not alone.
This will hopefully provide a small consolation to help you deal with your acute pain and personal loss, to know that others empathize with you.
We don’t live in a vacuum and I’m sure that your many family friends and loved ones are there to assist you in your time of need.
On a practical level and based upon the specificity of your question, here is what needs to be done asap:
- Your Grandmother needs expert counseling. Look for a qualified psychotherapist who deals with loss and bereavement.
- Your Grandmother needs to appoint and designate a POA to handle her affairs, clinically, financially, or perhaps even both.
- Your Grandmother needs to be kept busy, stimulated and surrounded by love (and those whom she loves) as often and as frequently as possible. As a previous responder mentioned, do NOT allow her to isolate herself and withdraw from life, literally.
- Get her involved with senior and community centers in her area and consider enrolling her in an Adult Day Care Center for daily activities and recreation.
- Consider engaging with an Elder Attorney to discuss important issues related to Wills, Estates, Trusts and Advanced Directives.
If you have specific questions and would like my personal assistance, feel free to reach out to me via my contact information.
Godspeed to you and yours!
Judah Gutwein, L.N.H.A.
Regency Nursing Centers, NJ
How would you have responded?