The impact of widowhood: How to support well-being for these men and women by Teresa Amaral Beshwate, MPH

My husband and I were out of state celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary and having lunch when his heart stopped beating. Despite my immediate response and the timely and appropriate efforts on the part of emergency services, that day I joined the ranks of the millions of people who are widowed. I was 39 years old. Losing a spouse is a common occurrence in general, and more common in older adults, for whom it can have serious and even life-threatening consequences. A key factor in healing is social support. For those who serve older adults, a tremendous opportunity exists to play a role in offering meaningful, long-term support to help a grieving person navigate life after loss.