Few experiences are as personal as grief, pain and loss.

The act of validation is a powerful gift we can give to those who are experiencing loss.

Loss can impact us mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially.

Each person’s journey is unique. People can generally deal with any crisis as long as they get support.

In the long-term care setting, individuals can experience an array of losses. Sometimes those are very sudden after experiencing a fall with injury leaving a formerly mobile person immobile.

It can be because of a stroke leaving the person with the inability to effectively communicate or due to a serious illness or an amputation of a limb.

Loss and grief are not always about the act of dying.

The fact the person lost the ability to care for themselves and experienced the loss of independence and loss of their home begins the journey for those initially entering a long-term care facility.

Individuals will often try to stifle their own feelings to appease loved ones; saying they are fine when in fact they are not fine.

They may say they are experiencing pain or having a bad day when in fact they are feeling grief and/or a sense of loss.

Individuals in long-term care will likely experience the death and loss of a roommate or another resident they have befriended in the facility.

Facilities have a responsibility to meet the needs of bereaved residents, family members and staff by addressing this quality-of-life issue within the home.

Residents need support to handle their feelings.

Knowing that others have compassion for how you are feeling goes a long way in coping with loss over time.

Letting go is a gradual process, not a one-time event.

Some individuals may benefit from professional counseling services if they are having an extremely difficult time coping whereas others may need a good listener or a good long hug of reassurance they are being supported in their loss.

The Area Agency on Aging and Long-Term Care Authority of Enid Ombudsman Program advocates for the needs of residents in LTC facilities serving Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Major and Noble counties.

If you or a loved one are in need of advocacy you may contact Megan Kirby or Steve Torres at 580-2372236, or visit our website at www.ltcaenid.org for more information on the programs we offer.

Steve Torres is the om-budsman supervisor for the Long-TerM Care Authority of Enid.