Bereavement in Later Life

Later life is often thought of as a time characterised by loss and decline. Indeed, older adults can experience a number of changes and significant life events such as entering widowhood, death of friends, loss of their home and changes in health and well-being which result in bereavement. When death occurs in this life stage, it is typically seen as timely, natural and accepted with ease by the older generation. It can be assumed that the frequency that older people encounter loss results in it being easier to manage, however, this is not always the case. The impact of loss can be cumulative and as difficult for older people as younger generations. Indeed Thompson (2002) cautions against applying ageist assumptions and stereotypes when considering bereavement at this life stage as doing so can devalue and deny the strength of feelings and importance given to these areas by older people