Comfort Keepers' Home Healthcare Agency in Hollywood, FL Offers Advice How To Cope With Loss During The Holidays
Our home healthcare agency serving Hollywood and Miami, FL is happy to help your senior during this tough time
Seniors who are facing their first holiday after the departure of a spouse, sibling or lifelong friend may find it extremely difficult to cope with the holiday euphoria and pretend like everything is just fine. Some of them may feel so depressed that they wish the holidays would be over as quickly as possible.
By reaching out and learning how to find the strength and support you need to combat these emotions, you can take control of your grief and make your holidays after the loss of a loved one a little brighter.
Here are a few tips from professionals from our home healthcare agency on how to begin:
Accept that you will grieve during the holidays
As strange as it may sound, accepting the fact that the upcoming holidays will be nothing like they used to can provide you with more strength to cope with your grief. If you’ve lost someone close to you recently, it is okay to feel sad. This approach has helped many people combat their grief during the holidays.
Prepare and plan ahead
If it’s too soon or too painful to participate in traditional holiday activities, let your loved ones know how you feel in advance. You can even opt for something completely different this year. Just do whatever feels right to you. Planning your holiday a week in advance can help you feel less lost and mitigate your grief.
Ask for support and help
Besides getting assistance from family members with holiday preparations, professionals from our home healthcare agency recommend you also try reaching out to those who may be experiencing the same thing as you. Join a support group or go to counseling sessions in your area. Realizing there are plenty of people out there feeling exactly the same and getting in touch with them can help lessen your grief.
What about holiday traditions?
This is one of the hardest things to decide on after the death of a loved one. Whatever you choose, plan to do only what means a lot to you – and what won’t cause you even more pain. Don’t be afraid to tell your family that some traditions are a painful reminder to you. Professionals from our home healthcare agency suggest you start some of these new traditions in your loved one’s memory:
- Donate to a charity or cause he or she was passionate about.
- Ask every holiday visitor, whether a family member or friend, to write a few lines bout the memories of your lost loved one and read them aloud.
- Plant a tree of rememberance in your garden or yard.
Don’t hide your emotions. Rely on the support from those close to you and don’t be afraid to reach out to others who can offer guidance. We hope that these home healthcare agency tips can help you enjoy the holiday season. Take it slowly, one step at the time.
