In Master's thesis I was researching the changes in life of old people after the death of their partner. I was interested to see how the widowed coped with the death of their partner, who stood by their side, what they miss the most, what represents the biggest challenge for them after the death of their partner and how their lives had changed overall. My research is based on qualitative analysis. I used Interviews to find out what life is like for older people after the death of their partner, who stood by them, what has changed in their daily lives, what would make the rearranging of their lives easier and what role the help of social workers has played after their partners have died. The research has shown that older people took the news of their partner’s death harshly and have experienced strong emotions of sadness and loneliness. Older people who have lost their partners took great comfort in the proximity and help of their children and their families. Many of them are also religious and have resorted to prayer and faith, which has helped them in their time of mourning and is still helping them today, after many years have passed. Their lives have changed a lot, as they have had to make big changes in their arrangements, hobbies and their lifestyle. Each of them remembers their deceased partner by regularly visiting their grave, praying, and talking about them. The loss of a partner, after living together for many years is a very difficult moment for older people and is followed by a difficult period in their life, as they are left without a partner, who has always been there for them and was a major part of their social life. Widows and widowers should socialize with other people as much as possible and also participate in various social gatherings. Many of them are left to fend for themselves, especially those who live alone. Many of the older people who have lost a partner do not want to ask for help and comfort as they do not wish to be a burden to others. They also emphasized that it would be good for them if they were to talk to someone who is going through the same experience as themselves, as talking about their loss has some therapeutic effect.
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