The Successful Survivor: The Widow's Journey |
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by Richard
O’Boyle, Publisher Author’s Note: The terms surviving spouse, survivor, widow, and widower are used interchangeably in this article in an effort to present a balanced view of the experience of both men and women who lose their spouses in later life. The death of a spouse has far-reaching effects on the survivor. The surviving spouse must cope not only with emotional loss, but also with a sea of changes in daily routines and future plans. While the loss of one’s spouse can be one of the most traumatic events in an adult’s life, research shows that within a year or two, the surviving spouse usually bounces back to earlier levels of physical and psychological health. Widows and widowers can make a successful transition from the loss of a spouse back to a fulfilling life by accepting and addressing their emotions, taking practical steps to secure their financial and physical health, and empowering themselves for the future. When your spouse dies, you may feel alone and grieved. As a widow, you should openly express your feelings as this will help the healing process which begins with the pain of loss. There is no “right” way to mourn, and no time frame for mourning. Some mourners are encouraged to cry openly, talk with others about their feelings, or write things down. You will likely feel and express a range of emotions, from anger, to denial, to shock, and emptiness. Support groups equip widows with a new perspective by letting them see alternatives to their problems. Morton Lieberman, Ph.D., a researcher and author of “Doors Close, Doors Open: Widows Grieving & Growing” says, “Regardless of their backgrounds, ages and circumstances, widows who joined support groups recovered much faster. After one year, members of support groups felt less depression and used less medication and alcohol to alter their feelings of sadness. The more deeply involved they became in the groups, the greater their signs of recovery. They became less anxious, had a greater sense of well-being, higher self-esteem, and rated themselves as much improved.” Immediate Legal & Financial Issues Most couple’s finances are tightly interwoven after years of living together. Sharon L. Mader, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Sandusky County, Ohio, says that some near-term financial issues need to be taken care of now that you are on your own. For example, you will need to take care of business affairs by contacting the following companies and agencies: o Insurance companies… to change
beneficiaries o Credit card companies (joint cards)…
to transfer card to your name o State Department of Motor Vehicles…
to change the title of vehicle(s) o Financial institutions… to change
signature cards on joint accounts o Stockbrokers/Financial advisor… to
change jointly owned investments o Attorney… to update your will
Attorney Melvin Jay Swartz warns, “Widows seem to be under constant attack. Unbridled, laissez-faire selling of legal advice, investments, and tax information has produced a strange collection of aggressive, unlicensed, unprofessional advice-givers. They graze on the widowed.” You can protect yourself by being skeptical and cautious about making changes to your financial arrangements. Not all financial arrangements need to be addressed immediately, so you should delay some actions until you are more stable emotionally. Ms. Mader also notes that many more decisions will need to be made in the months following your spouse’s death, including locating and having the following documents accessible:
Take Care of Your Own Health Eat Right Eating right is very basic and extremely important when creating healthy lifestyle habits. The right nutritional choices ensure that you receive positive sources of energy so you can successfully balance the demands within your life. Proper nutrition depends on well-balanced meal planning. “The wider the variety of foods within the diet the greater the chance that you will take in all the important nutrients necessary for maintaining health and preventing illness,” says Marie Truglio-Londrigan, Ph.D., a geriatric nurse practitioner and faculty member at New York’s Pace University. Nutrients include some fats, proteins, simple and complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. While sensible eating is a smart choice for all individuals, researchers have shown that it is even more critical for widows. Research reported in the Journal of Aging and Health shows that older adults are less likely than others to regain lost weight. Thus, losing a significant amount of weight following the death of a spouse can begin a weight-loss trend. While this might not be of immediate concern, continued weight loss can jeopardize overall health and wellbeing. Get Exercise You’ve
probably heard of the physical benefits of exercise – reduced rates of heart disease
and diabetes, improvement in blood pressure levels and protections against osteoporosis,
to mention a few, says Constance Serafin, a
Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner at Pace University’s Health Care Unit. “But what about improving
balance and strength to make walking and climbing easier and to help prevent falls? What
about finding an outlet for your frustration and anxiety? What about feeling better about
yourself and how you look? These are less known benefits of weight training and aerobic
exercise programs.” A personalized exercise program can start with something as simple as getting out of the house and walking around the neighborhood. Ms. Serafin recommends that you start with an activity that you find pleasurable and that you have a complete physical before beginning a program. If you decide to join a health club or attend organized classes, you should consult with an instructor before using weight-lifting equipment. Exercising can also provide you with an outlet to meet new people in a healthy environment. Emotional Health A flood of negative emotions can be expected after the loss of your
spouse, as mentioned earlier. “When
the full impact of the death sets in, we begin to realize that our lost mate will not
return. Despair, depression, and guilt make us feel irrational and sometimes
irritable,” says William J. Diehm, an author who has written on the topic of
coping with widowhood. “The
tendency is to shun offers of comfort and support, to focus on memories of our lost
spouse, or, to become angry at being left. All this and more is the process of learning to
live with our loss.” But sometimes the grief and sadness lasts for much longer than would normally be expected. Sociologist Deborah Carr, a researcher at the University of Michigan, found that the closer the marital relationship, the more depressed both men and women were likely to be after their spouse died. She also found that surviving spouses who were better off economically, as measured by home ownership, were likely to be more depressed than peers who lived in apartments or retirement communities. "Those who own a home may do worse because they have the added strain of caring for a house," Carr speculates. "They may be more socially isolated, lonely, and even afraid of living in a home alone, compared to surviving spouses who live in apartments and have neighbors close by." To preserve and enhance your emotional health, you should continue to remain active and engaged with family and friends. If you feel lonely, Mr. Diehm recommends:
As Time Goes By Some folks are fond of saying that “time heals all wounds” or that gradually you will stop feeling hurt or empty after the loss of your spouse. “Nothing can prepare you for the shock and grief of widowhood,” Diehm says. “It requires working through the various phases of grief and eventually it gets better when one recognizes grief but no longer is paralyzed by it.” Those who have a spiritual outlook gradually come to accept their loss as a part of life’s plan or for some greater purpose. Those who actively engage in living empower themselves to continue to grow constructively as human beings. Nevertheless, over the years following the loss of your spouse, you will likely have pangs of regret, feelings of emptiness, or recurring memories of happy times. Feelings of aloneness may be exacerbated on special occasions, holidays, and anniversaries when you have gotten used to having your spouse with you or sharing good times with your family. Elizabeth Harper Neeld, Ph.D., author of “Seven Choices: Taking the Steps to New Life After Losing Someone You Love,” says that you should continue to express your feelings, especially during difficult holiday times, as well as nurture yourself with a massage or creative outlet. Many older adults have only known one sexual partner – their spouse. When their spouse dies, that does not mean that the survivor’s sexual life dies as well. Many older adults can and do remain sexually active well into their 80s and beyond. However, after the loss of a spouse, many survivors find it difficult to re-engage in sexual relationships for emotional and practical reasons. “In my opinion, developing a sense of intimacy and belonging is probably one of the most difficult aspects of widowhood. We not only have difficulty meeting the need for intimacy and belonging, but we also are unable to develop meaningful relationships for a wide variety of reasons,” says Eileen Doherty, M.S., Executive Director, Senior Answers and Services, Colorado Gerontological Society. “Regrettably, too many women will either miss the type of social
life with partnered sexual pleasures they might otherwise enjoy, or will begin dating men
in a way that does not take sufficient care of their hearts or their health,” says
Barnaby B. Barratt, Ph.D., DHS, director of the Midwest Institute of Sexology. “Human
beings are meant to get the most out of their lives and if re-entering the dating scene is
something you would like to try: Go For It! But always remember that the person who
loves you the most needs to be yourself, and always enjoy your sexuality safely.” Widows and widowers continually take on new experiences, explore new feelings, meet new people, and take on new roles and responsibilities. While these changes can empower you to grow, they can also be limiting. “We are all human beings trying to make sense of who we are and where we are in our environment,” says Ms. Doherty. The process of searching for ourselves is life-long. As we have new experiences, feelings and impulses, we continually change our self-concept. In Closing, a Poem In Loving Memory of I.M.L. Widowhood makes you know yourself. Until then, in steadfast watchfulness, live as a dedicated observer. Recommended Reading: - “Doors
Close, Doors Open: Widows
Grieving & Growing” by Morton A. Lieberman Ph.D. Sources: - Women’s Institute
for a Secure Retirement http://www.wiser.heinz.org/widowhood.html |
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Available from ElderCare Online™ www.ec-online.net ©2003 Prism Innovations, Inc. |
