Helping Seniors Avoid Broken Heart Syndrome
There’s a phenomenon that occurs for many older adults when they experience a loss. They may experience a broken heart due to the loss, and experience a greater risk of passing away themselves afterward. This is referred to as “broken heart syndrome,” and although it’s a frequent occurrence with spouses, there are other relationships that can cause a broken heart. Families can try a variety of possible solutions, including trying out companion care at home.
Consider Therapy or a Support Group
Sometimes what seniors need to manage broken heart syndrome is to talk to someone who understands how they feel. This could be with a licensed therapist or a support group of other people who have experienced a similar loss. This answer helps because seniors learn that they’re not alone and that others have gone through what they’re experiencing. Having someone to talk to makes a world of difference.
Make Self-care Easier
Self-care is so difficult when someone is healing from a loss. Unfortunately for seniors, engaging in self-care activities can matter a lot when they are growing older and dealing with health issues. Home care providers can do so much to make self-care easier for seniors. They don’t take over these tasks, but they can be there for reminders and assistance when necessary.
Revamp Routines
After a loss, the old routines may feel very empty. This depends quite a lot on what type of loss seniors experience, too. Being able to change up these daily routines and establish new ones can be an important support system to help seniors through their loss. Staying busy and finding some new hobbies can be really helpful, too.
Include Lots of Social Support
Companion care at home offers an easy way for seniors to get social support as soon as they need it. Companion caregivers are professional caregivers who focus on spending time with seniors, engaging them in conversation, and doing small activities together. They get to know the seniors they assist, and learn how to keep them talking. Having someone to spend time with who makes that time easy to share allows seniors who have experienced a loss to focus on something else.
Just Listen
One of the best things that family members can do for seniors who are in this situation is to just listen to them. Asking open-ended questions that can elicit a bigger answer keeps seniors talking. When seniors aren’t ready to talk, just sitting quietly together helps them to remember that they’re not alone. And when they are willing and able to talk, listening allows them to get their thoughts out and feel as if they’ve gotten the chance to share what they need to share.
Experiencing a loss is always so difficult. Seniors can have a lot of trouble bouncing back from a big loss, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Supporting aging adults with tools like companion care at home is an excellent way for families to help seniors avoid falling into situations like broken heart syndrome.
