Grief in lockdown could have lasting damage on mental health

Up to 77,000 people aged 65 and over may have suffered the death of a partner since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, one and a half times as many as in the same period in each of the five previous years.

New analysis from Independent Age estimates that, of these 77,000, at least 5,400 people will go on to develop complicated grief, which is a prolonged period of acute grief that occurs when the €˜normal’ grieving process is interrupted.

Developing complicated grief is more likely when someone is unable to grieve on their own terms, for example, by being isolated from family and friends, being unable to say goodbye face to face or hold a funeral, and not being able to access face to face professional support. 

Grief in lockdown can cause real and lasting damage

The charity says that grief can affect both physical and mental health, with an increased risk for people as they age, including a greater likelihood of developing depression or having a weakened immune system. These problems can often be avoided, or the affects reduced, with early intervention.

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said: €œThe death of a partner can be devastating at any time of life. But the added challenges presented by the coronavirus lockdown have the potential to cause real and lasting damage to the emotional wellbeing, mental health and resilience of people in later life.

€œWe know that bereavement in later life can result in loneliness and an increased likelihood of depression, and there is a greater risk of this when people aren’t able to follow familiar rituals and processes to help them grieve. That’s why it’s so important the Government ensures there is adequate support for both the people who have been bereaved and the organisations that work with them.€

Recommendations to the new Minister for Bereavement 

The charity is calling on the government to undertake a review of bereavement needs across the country to fully understand the scale of support that is now needed due to both Covid-19 and the lockdown measures.

It says it must support the bereavement sector to cope with this increased need, including urgent financial support for providers to maintain vital services and extend their reach to all of those in need of help.

Other recommendations are that professionals in health and care settings are given bereavement awareness training to ensure they are comfortable and equipped to offer or signpost support. Also, that they can access adequate PPE supplies so that they can facilitate visits from family and friends to someone who is dying.