In the Midst of Change - All About Seniors

By Janice Neal Meyer, MDiv, GC-C, Board Certified Grief CounselorJust a few weeks ago lovely warm winter weather that we know and love here in South Carolina changed to snow, ice and freezing temperatures; only to change a few days later to warm sunshine and, gentle breezes that rippled through the live oaks and magnolias offering its own special music.As the saying goes, change is the one constant.The question for us is how do we adjust, cope with and, live through changes that life inevitably brings to all? Weather changes are minor compared to the changes that life casts upon all at one time or the other.How do we live through the changes that hearing a diagnosis may bring or, during a loved ones long term or sudden illness? How do we live through the changes that occur in the midst of a loved ones dying and death from this life? How do we live through disappointments and, the other losses that life may impale one with; loss of employment, loss of homes, loss of other relationships to name a few.How do senior citizens face the changes that aging often brings? How do those in war torn countries live among the constant changes wrought by bitter battles? How does a country cope when faced with catastrophic fires on the West coast, generational flooding on the East coast and, tragic losses of lives in plane crashes moments before the expected landing; the greetings that loved ones waited to share, now suspended in time?All change, whether good or not so good, has the potential and, most often a guarantee of at least some grief.Individuals, nations and, indeed our world function under a blanket of grief; yes, even on bright sunny days.Senior citizens often harbor long term grief or recent untreated grief associated with life changes.

Veterans and others, often harbor long term untreated grief.Grief most often benefits from professional support for a healthier outcome.If you are experiencing present or past changes in your life, personal illness, loss of loved ones or perhaps find the overall conditions of living and life challenging, you may be experiencing grief.Please reach out to your physician for a recommendation to grief support or counseling.

One may also reach out to a faith community of choice or to other grief support, counseling services.What can one do at all times in the midst of change?Embrace ones faith of choice.Pray active prayers for strength, hope, assurance in the midst of change and questions.Integrate daily scheduled meditations.Journal about ones change.Reach out to a faith community of choice or, other appropriate support to share ones change, experiences and questions.Do not try to do it all alone.And, perhaps one may find respite in a still silent moment to listen among the warm breezes of a winter day, embraced by sunlight, magnolias and live oak trees.In the midst of change, go in faith.