In today's society, which is constantly changing and often neglects the needs of the older people, widowed older individuals find themselves on the margins, invisible and insufficiently heard. The loss of a life partner represents one of the most painful turning points in life, yet their mourning and coping with changes are sometimes overlooked, further increasing their social exclusion. In theoretical work on the thesis, I elaborated on topics such as death, the process and stages of grief, sources of support and strength across seven chapters. I also touched upon the topic of palliative care and the role of social work during mourning. Through a qualitative study, I aimed to understand how widows and widowers lost their partners and how their feelings changed in the initial weeks after the loss. I also wanted to learn how they coped with the loss of their partner and what sources of support and strength they utilized. I was also interested in the experiences and new insights they gained during mourning and, ultimately, what suggestions they might offer to the older people to cope better with the loss of a partner. I conducted ten interviews with widows and widowers who are members of the Slovenian Hospice Society - Celje branch. The results showed that in the initial weeks after losing a partner, both the psychological and physical well-being of the widowed changed, along with routines and habits they had with their deceased partner. Many widowed individuals mentioned family, friends, professionals (such as personal physicians, Hospice staff, psychologists, and various therapists), and faith in God as sources of support and strength during mourning. To cope better with the loss, the widowed suggested that older individuals seek company during mourning and avoid isolation. They also recommended seeking help outside the family circle and trying out new hobbies they hadn't had time for before.
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