(HealthDay News) -- Significant life changes, from losing a loved one to developing a health problem, can be particularly difficult for seniors.
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests how to help:
- Learn about how people grieve and the normal stages of grief.
- Listen to your loved one speak about losses and feelings, even if you're not sure what to say. It's OK not to say anything, just to listen.
- Make a specific offer to help, rather than asking what you can do or waiting for the elderly person to ask.
- Learn to identify the warning signs of depression, including symptoms that interfere with daily activities.
