Elderly Home Care and Coping with Loss During The Holidays in Vacaville, CA

Comfort Keepers provides elderly home care for seniors who may be coping with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season

After the death of a loved one, the holiday season is an inevitable reminder about how much our lives have changed due to the loss, particularly in the first year. If you or someone close to you is about to face their first holiday season without a loved one, this elderly home care article can provide help for seniors as well as coping techniques to help them get through this difficult time.

• Accept that your pain will be triggered. With your loved one gone, the first holiday season will be hard and painful. Accepting this fact can be strangely liberating and it can give you more strength to cope with your grief. If you have lost someone recently, it is perfectly okay to lower your expectations for the upcoming holidays.
• Plan ahead. Tell your family if it’s too painful to get involved in certain holiday activities and even consider planning something altogether different for dinner arrangements, church services or other festivities. Planning days in advance can help you mitigate grief and feel less lost, according to experts offering help for seniors.
• Ask for support. To get support and help for seniors, consider reaching out to others who might feel the same way you do. Reach out to support groups in your area or contact a bereavement counselor. Although it;s important to set aside time to grieve, don't isolate yourself, especially during the holidays.

What About Holiday Traditions?

Some people find comfort in old traditions. For others, these traditions are just a painful reminder that a loved one is gone. Regardless of how you feel, plan to do only what is special and meaningful to you. Many people find that creating new traditions that honor their loved ones helps during the holidays. Here are some ideas:

• Create a memory box and ask all guests to fill it with photos of your loved one with written memory notes on the back.
• Play your loved one’s favorite music or play their favorite game during family gatherings.  
• Light a candle in remembrance of your absent loved one.

Try not to compare your holiday experience with others. It's all too easy to look at others and think everyone is feeling happy except you. The goal is to do whatever feels right to you. Find strength and help for seniors in your support system - your family. Don’t suppress or hide your emotions. It may take a long time to process your grief, so take each day one step at a time and focus on getting through the holiday season for now.