Psychological Articles Archives - Dr. KarenTurnerPhD

Dependency Between Elderly Partners

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:44:36 +0000

Dependency can be a king pin in an elderly relationship, especially one that has been established for many years. Elderly problems may be experienced by elderly partners both individually and as a couple, as a result of the deep rapport that exists between them.

‘So what is wrong with long term devotion?’ You may well ask. Absolutely nothing is wrong with a long serving and loving relationship that mutually benefits two elderly people. However, extreme dependency can lead to elderly problems in one or both partners as a result of their long term reliance on each other.

In cases where the individuals are of a similar age, elderly problems are likely to be easier to deal with. Where one of the partners is very much older, the younger will often experience enormous pitfalls when trying to adjust to a life without the other in the event of death or serious illness.

Lengthy partnerships or marriages of forty or fifty years are usually deemed to be highly successful, simply by virtue of survival! Some people cannot imagine spending an entire lifetime with one partner. As extremely long partnerships continue into the sixty year bracket, living a single life must be unimaginable for both parties and when it becomes necessary through death or illness, elderly problems result.

In traditional marriages, either the husband or the wife takes responsibility for carrying out tasks such as household accounts, getting the car serviced, making tax returns, and so on. Left to tackle such things alone, a bereaved partner struggles against a mountain of difficulties and related elderly problems that are a direct result of being dependent upon a long term personal relationship.

The solution to such elderly problems is hard to define, as elderly couples often see no reason to change their lifetime habits. Why would they? Gentle encouragement might be shown to exercise a little independence, however, as a safeguard against a lonely and frightening situation to come, where grief and isolation are aggravated by not being able to deal with day to day routines previously handled by a partner now departed.

Elderly couples sometimes share a devotion rarely found in modern relationships and often this devotion itself becomes an emotional support for individuals experiencing elderly problems. While the other partner is safely resident within the relationship, all is well: the loss of this relationship can send a perfectly balanced and grounded elderly person into a tailspin when they are required to survive alone in a world they no longer recognize or feel comfortable in.

Dependency between elderly couples is a plus while both partners are still living and free of elderly problems but a little self sufficiency does not go amiss to allow for future isolation.

This Psychological Article on Dependency Between Elderly Partners is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of coaching suggestions on how to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.

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Dreams of Unknown Children

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:40:33 +0000

Every now and then people report dreams of a baby or a child that they have never seen before. Although it is not as common as some other symbolisms reported in dreams, it does occur. And if someone asks you, you can probably remember the age of the child, maybe even the exact age, even though you claim to have never seen that child before in waking life.

Jane Teresa Anderson wrote a psychological article on her dream site suggesting that in order to find out what the unknown baby or child might represent, begin by asking yourself “how old was the dream child”. However, she stresses not to take a long time answering this simple question but, to go with your gut instinct and give the first answer that comes to mind. According to Anderson, the age of the child represents how long ago in the past something in your life occurred that caused you to dream. She claims that if you try it, you will find it to be an “amazingly accurate indicator”.

Your next step is to ask yourself what was happening to the child in your dream. Was it hurt or lost? Did the child lose something or was the child scared? Once you find out what the child was doing, you can then ask yourself how that applies to your life. Let’s say you identified the child as scared and feeling lost. She was 6 months old. You then realize that six months ago you lost someone you cared deeply about and have been feeling lost without that person.

The preponderance of psychological articles on dream interpretation report that most dreams correlate to real life experiences or emotions. Usually they simply translate the events of the day (i.e., Freud’s Day Residue), into the symbolic imagery experienced as a dream. However, dreams can also be reflective of “unresolved” past life events. Psychological articles tell us that oftentimes, we humans try our best to suppress our conflicted or traumatic emotional responses, not wanting to face or deal with them. One side effect of this emotional denial is to have our dreams be our “alarm signal” (Gayle Delaney), as the dreaming mind will free the reigns of denial and allow or even force us to confront whatever it is that we have been trying to push out of conscious awareness.

Our best advice at Boomer Yearbook is not to fight it. See if you can figure out the root emotional cause of your dreams and what the dream represents to you. You might find yourself more at peace both in your waking and dreaming life.

Boomer Yearbook is a Psychological-Informational Social Network Website for Baby Boomers, Echo Boomers and Booming Seniors. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join now to discover the many ways this website for baby boomers can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness.

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Elderly Legal Problems

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:08:33 +0000

Some legal elderly problems are common to all older adults as they are part and parcel of what we must deal with as we age. Thus, if you are an aging baby boomer or senior citizen you are likely to be facing one or many of the following legal problems:

Private pensions

Obtaining private pensions might involve numerous regulations which baby boomers may well find difficult to pursue. Additionally, insufficient private pensions may add to boomers financial elderly problems especially for an economically challenged baby boomer in need of financial assistance.

Wills and probate

Designing a Will can present problems as it involves complex regulations and difficult legal terms. Engaging an efficient attorney for assistance might prove useful to the baby boomer or older adult who feels overwhelmed or not competent to handle this legal issue.

Guardianship and conservator-ship

Baby boomers and older individuals are unfortunately frequently subjected to the elderly problems of age discrimination, neglect, guardianship complications, and ill or insufficient medical and mental health treatment. The issues related to guardianship are complex and difficult to understand, and may require extensive time and energy if not dealt with properly. One resource the baby boomer or aging senior can use to help with this issue is the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act which can aid in reducing confusion and conflict as well as providing clear guardianship guidelines.

Law related decision-making mechanisms

Many baby boomers and seniors find the laws and regulations of public programs to be overly complex, and may cause elderly problems as this population may not understand the legal system well enough to know their rights in a particular situation. For instance, an elderly problem may be lack of ability to handle one’s appeal without expert help. Legal and bureaucratic jargon can also be very difficult to understand. Additionally, attorneys can be expensive, and legal aid does not always provide the best resources for baby boomers and the elderly problems they face as not all attorneys have sufficient knowledge of this growing population of persons. Therefore it is quite difficult for the boomer or elderly to find an efficient attorney to assist them in law related decision making mechanisms and can pose serious mental and economic elderly problems.

Excessive drug use and health services

Health related issues are a major elderly problem, such as loss of quality and quantity of sleep, heart disease and dozens of other physiological disorders. Boomers are increasing facing the elderly problem of drug misuse and abuse. It therefore is important that baby boomers and seniors are aware and avail themselves of government health benefits and corresponding legal rights.

Problems related to Government Benefits

Retirement places the aging baby boomer in a new economic position and changes occur with relationship to governmental bodies and administrative bureaucracy. Adjusting to this role of dependency fostered by reliance on government benefits can create emotional, legal, and financial elderly problems. Boomers may face problems related to legal entitlement, or the loss of income might lead to a foreclosure or other residential complications which might force the need for government benefits. Baby Boomers and aging seniors need to explore and understand the legal ramifications of government eligibility rules to gain legal benefits and resolve this elderly problem.

As an aging baby boomer you are entitled to community guidance programs to help obtain professional assistance in securing social and governmental benefits, in Will preparation, and other legal issues that can help you avoid or resolve some elderly problems.

Boomer Yearbook is Informational Psychological Articles for Baby Boomers. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join other Baby Boomers to stay informed, receive weekly Newsfeeds, and let your opinions be heard. Baby boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!

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Effect of After-Image and Online Optical Illusion

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:51:35 +0000

Online optical illusions result from varying artificially constructed factors as well as resulting from imperfections in the optical system. One of these features that contributes to the development of online optical illusions is the after-image effect. Psychological articles explain the ‘After image’ as the effects wherein the eyes continue seeing an object even after you have stopped looking at the object. The after-image effect enables the formation of many magical online optical illusions.

The formation of American flag is a popular online optical illusion incorporating the after-image effect. Take a look at the above picture.

It may be really surprising to find that yes, this online optical illusion will create the American Flag. We’ll show you how this happens utilizing after-images to create the red white and blue impression of the American flag.

Where is the American Flag?

The American flag is right here, in this online optical illusion. Fix your sight at the border between the yellow box and the strips in this image for about 20 seconds. If you still do not see the American flag, shift your vision to a white surface. You will find the American flag there, with red and white strips and white stars in a blue rectangle. It appears as an after-image of the original flag. Ok, baby boomers. We think you’ll agree this is a really a cool online optical illusion and we’re happy to use this psychological article to explain how this works.

Why did the color changed in the after-image?

In this online optical illusion, the colors change from cyan to red, black to white, and yellow to blue. According to psychological articles, the photoreceptive cells in the retina become less responsive to a particular color as you stare at it for a period of time. When the after-image is formed, the object is projected in the complementary color of the original color. In the current online optical illusion, red, white, and blue are the complementary colors of cyan, black, and yellow respectively. Hence, you see the American flag in the after-image.

Boomer Yearbook has brought you many other online optical illusions such as The “Face of Jesus” and ” Bird and Cage”, online optical illusions based on the after-image effect.

This Psychological Article on Online Optical Illusions is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of out of the ordinary suggestions on how to alleviate elderly problems and keep our brains young. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.

Boomer Yearbook is Psychological Articles for Baby Boomers. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join other Baby Boomers to stay informed, receive weekly Newsfeeds, and let your opinions be heard. Baby boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!

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Elderly Problems and How to Address Them in a Parent

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:41:31 +0000

An unfortunate drawback of entering late middle age is that one’s parents may be entering advanced old age, possibly experiencing elderly problems and generally being higher maintenance than one welcomes in later life.

There are elderly problems associated with physical limitations, mental impairment and social behaviour that we will all have to deal with at some time. Nobody is spared the ageing process, no matter how wealthy, how intelligent or how determined they are to stem the onset of the golden years.

When you reach your fifties and sixties, the antics of an elderly parent can turn your world completely topsy-turvy and transform daily routine or family outings into a battleground. Elderly problems in those of advanced years differ radically from the mild, ‘senior’ annoyances associated with approaching old age. Eighty and ninety year olds can be more exhausting than children but need not necessarily affect the family unit as deeply as you think.

Elderly problems may often take the form of rebellious behaviour. In that case, the very best way to tackle difficulties is with an air of pervading calm to dispel hysteria and tantrums. Confrontational statements should be avoided when dealing with extreme elderly problems, as any authoritative behaviour may be translated as ‘disrespectful’. At all cost it is important to retain an air of respect and affection, especially when dealing with parents displaying the symptoms of elderly problems. There is nothing more demeaning than being bossed around by Junior; even if Junior is nearly seventy!

While many elderly problems require younger carers to ‘take over’, some lend themselves to ‘self fixing’ procedures. Elderly hands may sometimes move slowly but they do, nonetheless still move. It is far better to allow your elderly parent to change a light bulb if he or she is still able to do so, rather than rush to take the initiative before you have ascertained a need for help. Try to think whether you would welcome such help in their shoes and whether that help is more likely to be seen as ‘interference’.

Allowing an elderly parent some level of independence, wherever possible, is important. As the brain enters extreme old age, the more stimulation it receives the better. Taking control of small day to day tasks as a matter of routine will help your elderly parent maintain dignity and a sense of worth which might otherwise become impaired by relying on others completely.

Elderly problems need not intrude on your elderly parent’s ability to interact with the rest of the family and enjoy life.

This Psychological Article on Elderly Problems and How to Address Them in a Parent is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of suggestions on coaching to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.

Boomer Yearbook is Psychological Articles for Baby Boomers. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join other Baby Boomers to stay informed, receive weekly Newsfeeds, and let your opinions be heard. Baby boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!

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Elderly Problems: Alcohol Abuse

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:35:26 +0000

Should drinking really be considered an elderly problem? Some psychological articles suggest that it can actually be a good thing. It seems that alcohol may now be used as a way to boost the function of the brain; and it is certainly and a glass of wine with dinner or by the fireplace is a great way to unwind.
Psychological articles inform us that moderate drinking provides a sense of well being and even if it does not significantly boost brain power, it still appears not to cause elderly problems when used in moderation.

If you drink moderately—a glass or two a day—then bottoms up! But it is important to also remember that for some, drinking can be a very serious, and alcoholism is often an overlooked elderly problem. As we age and experience loneliness and losses, there can be a tendency in some, to drink to dull the pain. A psychological article in “The Elder Law Journal” states that about one sixth of Americans over the age of sixty drink to excess. These are not people that have had habitual alcoholic issues, but rather, people who have turned to drinking as a form of comfort to alleviate elderly problems of facing mortality, depression, and loss of youth and health.

There are reasons the elderly problem of drinking is often either ignored or unnoticed. One reason is that oftentimes seniors or aging baby boomers are living alone, and thus not drinking in front of others. Additionally, a retired senior may have lost some driving independence, and thus is less likely to have trouble with DUI’s or other noticeable behaviors such as being drunk and rowdy in a bar, and therefore may escape notice by law enforcement. However, as a loving family member or friend, it is imperative to keep an eye out for signs of the elderly problem of alcohol abuse and ensure that your loved one is drinking moderately and not developing a serious alcohol problem.

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Elderly Problems: Baby Boomers and the Loss of Traditional Values (pt. 1)

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:27:58 +0000

Baby boomers, as a generation, are heralded as a force of change. As a result of their efforts, a society confronted and to significant degrees, overcame racial and gender injustices. In the process, however, baby boomers found themselves at odds with not just the biasness of previous generations, but an entire cultural mindset. For baby boomers, the traditional values of their parents were a constraining ideological force that was to be resisted on every front. The struggle was ultimately successful against the injustices that shamed a nation, but boomers also rejected needed cultural elements that facilitated social progress of a nation as well.

Traditional values are a term that is bandied about by politicians and religious figures quite frequently. The general argument is that American society has suffered a loss of these values as time (and baby boomers) has progressed. As a result, society is trapped in a downward spiral of violence and immorality. Those who hold to the premise of the loss traditional values point to the prevalence of pornography, pre-marital sexual relations and the break down of the traditional family structure as evidence of its demise.

Young Baby Boomers

From a morality stand point, there is definitive evidence that American society has adopted wide spread acceptance of social norms (i.e. homosexuality, pre marital relations, etc.) that were previously unacceptable. One can certainly, however, argue the rightness or wrongness of these concepts and the degree that they have had an effect on American society. What is not debatable is the literal disintegration of the traditional family structure and the social crisis that is manifesting as a result.

Baby boomers, for their part, are known for their overall rejection of traditional values. This was, as noted, a reaction to their efforts against the social injustices that were apart of the culture of their parents over which they were rebelling. Additionally, this was an Anglo-Saxon, male dominated, religiously influenced culture. For baby boomers, their resistance was complete. The problem that manifested is that boomers rejected the good and the bad in equal proportions.

Baby boomers have a mindset of acceptance that allows for lifestyles of preference. What this means is that as long as a preferred way of living doesn’t necessarily have a direct or obvious detrimental effect on anyone else, then it’s acceptable. There is an underlying connotation that the purpose of life is to enjoy oneself and therefore do whatever is most enjoyable or pleasing to self; contributing to a rise narcissism, nihilism, and wanton sexuality. Certainly, these issues have always been in existence, but contemporary times have seen their acceptance as a social norm, therefore allowing increased participation by the masses.

However, the more significant result in this self-gratification ideology that baby boomers espouse is a minimization of social obligation and responsibility. One aspect of previous generations is the idea that every individual has an obligation to both self and community. There was a social standard that stood as a point of reference for direction. For America, this was the family. The family structure stood as the point of reference, the focal point from which the fundamental ideas that America was founded on originates, is taught, internalized and manifests into action that allows for progressive momentum on a national scale. The loss of family is not just an elderly problem and blow to baby boomers, but to the continuation of the traditional American society.

The psychological Article on Elderly Problems: Baby Boomers and the Loss of Traditional Values (pt. 1) is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of articles to alleviate elderly problems and keep our hearts and brains young. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.

Boomer Yearbook is a Social Network and Psychological Articles for Baby Boomers. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join other Baby Boomers to stay informed, receive weekly Newsfeeds, and let your opinions be heard. Baby boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!

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Elderly Problems: Benefits and Risks of Seniors Living Alone

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:17:02 +0000

An elderly problem that is often overlooked is how to live alone. It is overlooked not only by the caregivers, but more so by the elderly person themselves. After living independently upwards of thirty or forty years, it’s a difficult thing to realize that your independence is becoming limited. Thus, when possible, psychological articles tell us that it is advisable to allow an elderly individual to remain at home as it promotes a greater sense of security and well being, resulting in less anxiety and stress related health problems. However, living alone can pose significant challenges and other elderly problems, and needs to be well thought out to optimize the benefits and minimize the potential risks.

In addition to promoting security and independence, psychological articles and research inform us that living alone can stimulate the brain, helping to curb some other elderly problems such as boredom or forgetfulness. An independent person must make all kinds of simple daily decisions that we often take for granted until it is taken away from us. Small decisions such as what time to eat, what to eat, or when to do the laundry and clean the house make all the difference. These little decisions help to stimulate the brain and give us something to do, thus avoiding feelings of aimless boredom. If a person is less bored, they are less likely to feel lonely or depressed.

If family is unable to handle all of the responsibility of allowing a loved one to remain in their home, there are programs that offer assistance to help alleviate some elderly problems. Some of them include telephone calls at specific times from volunteers or social workers. If there is no answer, they can then call a family member or whoever is in charge. Depending on the health of the person, there is also the option of having a registered nurse attend to the patient’s elderly problems at home during day time hours. Many programs such as “Meals on Wheels” will bring food to senior citizens at a predetermined time every day. This eliminates the need for one meal to be cooked at home and is particularly useful to persons with low income.

Forcing a person to leave their home may bring on other elderly problems such as confusion, disorientation, or bouts of anger. This may be especially true if a person has lived several years in that home. If memories of children and grandchildren are attached to that particular location, it can be hard to leave, as psychological articles tell us that feelings of deep loss and abandonment may occur. If a person must leave their home because there is no one available to check in on them or because of health reasons, it is important to handle the move with delicacy and care so as to avoid creating additional elderly problems. Surround the person with pictures and other memories. Visit often and allow them to maintain as much independence and decision making as possible.

The Psychological Article on Living Alone is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of psychological articles on Elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.

Boomer Yearbook contains Psychological Articles for Baby Boomers. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join other Baby Boomers to stay informed, receive weekly Newsfeeds, and let your opinions be heard. Baby boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!

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Elderly Problems: How to Beat Depression

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:30:38 +0000

Depression is one of the most common elderly problems that can hit anyone at any time for any reason, but has become a major, and oftentimes misdiagnosed elderly problem. . Mostly people with a pessimistic approach towards life are prone to it. However, genetic make up, organic illnesses, negative life events such as losses and loneliness, hormonal changes, stress, as well as unhealthy environmental factors can all be contributing factors to this elderly problems.

Psychological articles tell us that depression can lead to a collection of physical and psychological complications and when possible, should be prevented through early intervention. Psychological articles inform us that in some cases, it is possible to ward off depression without medical intervention. It is suggested to avoid caffeine and stressful activities, have a positive attitude towards whatever happens in your life, keep an optimistic outlook, use advanced planning to keep your mind healthy and creative, don’t allow yourself to dwell over past losses, and that maintaining healthy sleeping habits can help guard against this potentially devastating elderly problems.

Psychological articles have confirmed that certain vitamins and mineral deficiencies can lead to depression. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to have a balanced diet, supplemented with regular exercise, along with enjoying a sport or hobby to ward off and help treat minor depressive elderly problems. Additionally, it is important for all of us to have a sense of belonging, and imperative that aging baby boomers prevent isolation by belonging to a community or group. And a reminder! Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause depression. Aging baby boomers and seniors need to keep alcohol intake balanced.

Another tip to beat depression is to keep stress levels down by utilizing techniques such as time management, meditation and biofeedback training, and by keeping company with positive people who have a healthy attitude towards life. Indulging in something that brings happiness and fun also helps fight this elderly problems, and keeping close to nature and spiritual faith have been shown to be wonderful combatants to both ward off depression as well as treat minor depressive occurrences.

An elderly problems like depression can also be beaten with something as simple, easy, and natural as laughter. So laugh, smile, and have fun. On the other hand, however, suppressing tears when you feel miserable has also been stated to trigger depression. Therefore, when appropriate, shed some tears and allow yourself an outlet to ease a burden, build some self-esteem, and feel emotionally lighter.

However a warning! Extreme bouts of depression need medical help so please avail yourself of professional counseling.

Alternative Treatments: Herbal Treatments for Depression

There are three commonly used herbal anti-depressants: St. John’s Wort, Gingko Biloba and Siberian Ginseng. Out of these St. John’s Wort is widely accepted by Eastern and folk medicines. These remedies cost less than other generally prescribed mediations and have comparatively fewer side effects.

Drug Depression Treatments

There are four main types of depression medications.

i. Tricyclics Antidepressants (TCAs)
ii. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
iii. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
iv. Serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

The drugs under these categories should only be taken when advised by a psychiatrist or licensed health care professional. For people suffering from a milder form of depression herbal treatments such as St. John’s Wort are recognized as safe, and additional information can be found on www.beatdepression.org

This Psychological Article on How to Beat Depression is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of psychological articles on Elderly Problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.

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Elderly Problems: Surviving the Death of a Spouse

Karen Turner — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:15:08 +0000

For the baby boomer generation, the loss of a spouse is something you have an even chance of suffering in later years. Those who are on the surviving end of the process can sometimes feel the effects of bereavement with such severity that they wish they had been the one to die.

The sadness of losing a long term partner, wife or husband is hard to describe for those who have not been through the experience. A baby boomer going through the process of grieving for a lost partner finds it difficult to believe that life will eventually improve but of course it can and usually does.

Added to the difficulty and sadness of grief is sometimes the exhaustion that is involved in a long spell of nursing a sick partner closely followed by the necessary organization of a funeral that might involve meeting and greeting an army of people and providing hospitality at a time when catering is the last thing you want to think about.

When all the ceremony of death is finally over and the flowers and ribbons have been cleared from the hallway, bereavement finally finds a gateway and many widows and widowers find this calm after the storm the most difficult to face. The annoyance of over tactful and well meaning friends tip toeing through the house and avoiding any conversation which includes the word ‘death’ or ‘illness’ can be enough to drive a sane baby boomer to complete madness and so the bereaved person turns to solitude for comfort.

Although the period following death should include a time of reflection and memories, it should be understood that too much can be harmful. There is a happy middle ground between healthy grieving and morbid obsession. This balance must be found and the grieving process healthily addressed to allow life to move forward and embrace the changes that are necessary.

After a few weeks, the issue of moving on might be diplomatically approached by friends and family, although too hard a push at this point might result in some anxiety so it is well to avoid being over enthusiastic. The best way forward is the suggestion of a few options; especially if finances suggest a move is unavoidable. However, leave the matter open until the subject is raised again voluntarily by the bereaved person. If after another week there is no change; try again.

A baby boomer bereavement period is also difficult for friends close enough to be affected by the person’s obvious distress. A slow and gentle but firm resolve is required to help someone through this painful but sadly inevitable experience. Taking the time to consult a professional on grief counseling is always a good idea and can certainly help everyone through the process.

Waiting for the sun to come out after the death of someone close always seems to take ages and can sometimes be a protracted ritual but life does eventually pick up again and move forward. Life does go on, after all…And remember these steps to AdaptAbility:

Surviving the Loss of a Spouse is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of baby boomers psychological coaching tips and how to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.

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