When your elderly loved one passes away, it can be a difficult time for all members of the family. This can also create a huge amount of stress for their spouse. Couples often divide responsibilities in the household, and a loss of a partner combined with grief can be a difficult situation for anyone. This article will explore some areas in which your surviving loved one may need additional assistance, now that their spouse has passed.
Household Upkeep Without a Spouse
Household chores, both inside and out, are often divided among partners. Especially with older generations, a widowed spouse may not know how to do their partner’s chores. They may have to learn how to do them or hire someone to do them. Alternatively, you may have to take care of some of the chores for your loved one. Chores like dusting, cleaning the bathroom, clearing the gutters, or mowing the lawn are common problems after the loss of a spouse. You may need to consider hiring a housekeeper or landscaper to help maintain your loved one’s home.
Bills and Financial Management
Like chores, some spouses divide the responsibilities of certain bills. One may take care of the mortgage, while the other pays for cable. When a partner passes away, the fiscal burden falls to the surviving spouse. It is important to help your loved one transfer accounts, if needed, and take care of the bills. If necessary, help your loved one cut down on some expenditures that are not essential.
Cooking for One
Good cooking usually takes time and practice to learn. But, for some couples, it is a skill handled by only one partner. If your surviving loved one is not culinarily inclined, they may need to learn how to cook for themselves. You may want to help your loved one learn to cook healthy and nutritious meals so that they can take care of themselves. On the other hand, a person who has cooked for a family their whole life may not know how to cook for one. Help them learn to cook smaller portions, or to divide leftovers for meal-planning.
Consider ordering meal plans for them. Some programs help provide nutritious meals with or without cooking. Meal plans that require cooking usually come with step-by-step instructions. Alternatively, organizations such as Meals on Wheels could provide hot meals for the elderly. Look into what options are best for you and your loved one.
Companionship After the Loss of a Spouse
Companionship is often a major issue for the elderly, especially after the loss of a loved one. The bed feels empty, and the house is quieter. Your loved one may feel more isolated and alone than ever before. Feelings of grief can only pile-on to the feelings of loneliness. Help your loved one find ways to feel less alone. This may include more frequent visits to family members or more active community involvement.
Hiring a Home Health Aide
A Home Health Aide can help your loved one in many aspects of their life. Home Health Aides can assist with companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grooming, and more. Our certified home health aides are prepared to help your loved one with many tasks throughout the day to help them maintain a healthy, safe, and independent lifestyle.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services does not provide medical, or healthcare advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for medical advice.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services has been providing excellent home care on Staten Island since 1967. Our services help the elderly and disabled live safely and independently; while giving their families the peace of mind they need. For more information, contact Safe Harbor by clicking here, or call us at (718)-979-6900.
