Grief is different for everyone, and what helps one person get through it may not help the next person. As the caregiver of an elderly loved one, especially a veteran who has sacrificed so much for his country, the grief he displays (or doesn’t display) may make you feel hopeless about how to help him manage it. Veteran’s home care providers can offer help and tips on how to appropriately support your loved one.
The grief process is a completely normal process that warrants taking the necessary time to progress through it as needed. There isn’t an end date, and it doesn’t always progress linearly. It can seem like a person is finished with grieving over someone or something, only for it to return stronger than ever.
Physical Symptoms of Grief
As a caregiver, you might notice some of these changes in your loved one as he travels through his grief:
- Difficulty in sleeping or sleeping too much.
- A lack of appetite
- Stomach problems such as heartburn, pain, or indigestion
- Hair Loss
- Trouble breathing – taking big, deep breaths or sighing often
- Fatigue
He may respond emotionally to grief as well, with some of these symptoms:
- Sadness and crying
- Easily irritated by small matters
- Anger – either related to someone or something directly, or an overall anger at everything
- Increased anxiety
- Fear of something happening to someone else or himself.
- Withdrawal from activities he normally enjoys
Providing Support While Grieving
As the caregiver, patience and listening are among the most essential tools you have for supporting your loved one through his grieving. Reassuring him that it’s okay to grieve and the grief can take as long as it takes is important to help him understand he will not lose your love or respect if he is grieving for a long time.
You might also find it helps to have someone who is trained in veteran’s home care to talk to your loved one as he is grieving. Veteran’s home care providers can offer the ears he needs to hear him and the words he needs to comfort him. For many veterans, they are not comfortable showing emotions around their family members, so a trained veteran’s home care provider can be a safe person for them to share their feelings with.
When ready, encourage your loved one to take steps to stay healthy even when his heart is breaking. Some good veteran’s home care habits you can encourage him to stick with include:
- Eating well: Remind your loved one that the best way to support his body as it grieves is to continue to eat well. He should try to continue to have two or three healthy meals each day that provide the necessary nutrients his body needs. If he’s lost his appetite, suggest small portions of nutrient-packed food to keep him well nourished.
- Staying active: Your loved one may feel like he just wants to lie around the house all day, but getting outside in the sunshine and being physically active will help him manage his emotions better. Being active can also help him sleep better at night if he has been struggling with his sleep.
- Connecting with others: Help your loved one find ways to connect with people who will support him through his grieving process. It can be other veterans, family, friends, or counselors trained in veteran’s home care.
- Spending time doing things that bring him peace, comfort, and joy: It’s okay to focus solely on himself right now and not worry about caring for others as much as he usually does.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Veteran’s Home Care in Glendale, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings! for Seniors Companion Care today. Call (623) 594-0819
Blessings! for Seniors Companion Care is a top provider of home care services in Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Peoria, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Sun City West, Tolleson, Phoenix, Youngtown, Surprise, and surrounding areas.
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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