April 21, 2025

Behavioral Health: Helping Older Adults Cope With Loss and Live Fulfilling Lives

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

Loss is a reality of life. As people age, the likelihood of experiencing cumulative losses increases: the deaths of loved ones, changes in our physical or cognitive capabilities, and significant life transitions that may affect our autonomy and daily routines. While older adults’ familiarity with loss does not make it easier, their caregivers and healthcare providers can help support them by understanding its impact.

For many older adults, a significant loss — such as the death of a spouse or a decline in health — is a catalyst for their transition into a catalyst for change in living situation. Beyond bereavement, loss may also be reflected in the move from a longtime home, the surrendering of possessions, or adjusting to new limitations. Such changes can contribute to loneliness, anxiety or depression, affecting both emotional and physical health. Studies indicate that older adults face an increased risk of mortality in the first few months after losing a spouse. Although the intensity of their grief may lessen over time, feelings of sadness, isolation and distress often persist.

Because loss affects each person differently, those who care for older adults must remain alert to warning signs, such as a loss of interest in hobbies, personal hygiene, nutrition or social engagement. Other major warning signs that sometimes go unnoticed or are mistaken for other things in older adults include sleep changes (sleeplessness or sleeping more than usual) and new changes in thinking abilities, such as increased difficulty remembering things. These signs can indicate deeper struggles with grief, depression or other mental health concerns.

How Healthcare Providers Can Assist

Healthcare providers, in collaboration with care partners, family and residential community staff, play a vital role in helping older adults navigate grief and reclaim a sense of purpose. Here are some strategies.

Communicate and collaborate. Encourage open communication among the primary care provider, residential community staff, family and anyone else involved in the individual’s care to help ensure a consistent and supportive approach to their emotional well-being. This will aid in identifying challenges and formulating an ongoing care plan.
Listen empathetically. Listening compassionately and without judgment helps the individual feel confident to freely express their feelings. Validating their emotions can reinforce that their voice matters.
Identify coping mechanisms. Encourage individualized strategies such as spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, practicing mindfulness or incorporating more physical activity into daily routines.
Recommend professional support. Therapy and counseling provide valuable tools for processing grief and developing healthy coping skills.
Refer to grief, depression, or other support groups. Group settings offer peer connections and shared experiences, reinforcing that older adults are not alone in their journey.
Help them understand the grieving process. Recognizing that grief is nonlinear can help older adults acknowledge their emotions without fear of judgment or unrealistic expectations.
Be observant and proactive. Monitoring for sudden changes in behavior, mood or health helps enable early intervention in cases of anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts.
Connect with community resources. Encourage participation in senior centers, exercise or wellness class or social activities to help combat isolation and promote emotional well-being.

Coping and Thriving at Brookdale

At Brookdale Senior Living, we are dedicated to helping residents navigate life’s transitions, including coping with loss. Our programs foster social connections, engagement and mental well-being, helping to ensure that residents do not feel alone in their grief.

EngagementPlus™ matches residents with like-minded peers to encourage friendships and shared interests Growing Together offers opportunities for learning and teaching new skills. B-Fit promotes physical well-being while creating social connections. The Ageless Spirit encourages mindfulness, gratitude and emotional expression. My Life Story allows residents to share their wisdom and experiences through storytelling.

Beyond structured programs, we prioritize daily observation and personalized care, helping to ensure that we recognize changes in a resident’s emotional or physical health early. Our collaborative approach with healthcare providers, care partner and families helps enable us to tailor our support, especially during times of grief and transition.

Coping with loss is never easy, but a strong support system can help older adults process their grief, build resilience and continue living fulfilling lives.

Learn More

If you are a healthcare provider, Brookdale welcomes the opportunity to collaborate on ways of supporting your older patients as they cope with loss. Contact us to explore personalized solutions for your patients.

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