Supporting the Grief and Loss of Older Adult

We all experience loss in many forms, and older adults have likely encountered many losses throughout their lifespan. Older adults may experience multiple losses, such as declining physical and mental health, the move from their home into residential aged care, the death of a spouse, friends, children or siblings, and may have limited social support.

Some of these losses are unacknowledged, despite their impact and significance. Knowing how to support older adults effectively will make a difference in the overall well-being of older people living in the community and in aged care.

This workshop will explore some of the common grief experiences and responses to them by older people. Contemporary grief models and theories will be applied to these experiences in order to inform the use of effective interventions and strategies to support older adults.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify common grief reactions and the various losses affecting older adults.
• Use grief and loss theories and models to support grieving older adults.
• Implement interventions and strategies to support older adults who are grieving.