The widowhood effect refers to the increased risk that a surviving spouse will die shortly after the death of their spouse, particularly within the first three months. Numerous studies have observed this phenomenon, which seems to be caused by the physical and emotional effects of grief, changes in lifestyle and behavior and the loss of social support and companionship.
More than half a million men and more than a million women were widowed in America in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Whether you or someone you care about has recently lost their spouse, it’s important to understand how widowhood impacts health and well-being and devote extra care to this vulnerable population.
Physical Health Changes Attributed to Losing a Spouse
The stress of grieving triggers a cascade of physiological changes that can cause:
- Poor sleep
- Weight loss
- Decreased immunity
These changes can make a person more susceptible to illness. In particular, grief can elevate the risk of high blood pressure as well as heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Some studies show that stress and emotional trauma, such as the death of a spouse, can exacerbate diabetes by elevating blood sugar levels. It can also make vaccines less effective.
Another phenomenon to watch for is broken heart syndrome, where a massively stressful event causes symptoms that resemble a heart attack. While it’s not as serious as an attack and often lasts no more than a few weeks, a real weakening of the heart muscle occurs and medication to improve blood flow may be required.
Widowhood’s Effects on Mental Well-Being
Widows and widowers face profound emotional and psychological challenges daily. Losing a spouse is one of the most stressful events a person will experience. Grief can turn into depression in the months and years following the loss. Researchers across many studies have found that after the death of a partner, older adults are significantly more likely to be depressed — even more if they lived alone. Spousal death (SD) affects the health of older adults in several ways, including mental, social, behavioral and biological issues. Additionally, it increases the mortality of various diseases, particularly in the first few months after a spouse’s death.
While it’s normal to feel sad and lost for a time after the loss of a spouse, the National Institute on Aging notes that some people can spiral into an experience called “complicated grief.” This extended mourning can involve intense sorrow, deep emotional pain, overwhelming negativity, and an inability to resume everyday life. This can be a serious condition that calls on a support group of people to help the person get the counseling, therapy and self-care they need to cope.
The profoundness of loss doesn’t only affect emotions. Neuroscience research is also exploring how much widowhood contributes to increased cognitive decline, including that associated with Alzheimer’s disease in previously unimpaired adults.
Grief, stress and the potential for depression are often compounded by secondary losses such as major changes in financial status, personal habits, residence, social activities, sleep patterns, mealtimes and appetite. The more secondary losses get stacked on top of losing a spouse, the greater the chances of experiencing a major health breakdown in the next two years, according to the Holmes–Rahe Life Stress Inventory and prediction model.
Social and Economic Considerations When a Spouse Passes Away
Losing a spouse can mean abrupt changes in social activity and financial situations. These can bring temporary and long-term challenges to quality of life.
Financial Challenges
When a spouse passes away, pensions and Social Security benefits may decrease while expenses remain steady or even increase due to end-of-life costs, the need for additional support services, medical bills associated with the surviving spouse’s widowhood effect and a need to catch up on home maintenance that was deferred during the deceased spouse’s illness.
Seniors may also face new financial management responsibilities previously handled by their late spouse. Some widows or widowers discover that their spouse was mismanaging the household’s finances and they’re less financially stable than they thought. Further, the emotional toll of grief can impact their ability to navigate complex financial decisions surrounding inherited retirement accounts and other assets, potentially leading to costly mistakes. The emotional and psychological effects of widowhood may affect their ability to work, potentially leading to reduced income or the need to retire early.
Impact on Family Relationships and Social Networks
Widowhood can bring significant changes to family relationships and social networks. Adult children may take on more responsibility to provide logistical, financial and emotional support for their widowed parents, which can be a substantial adjustment.
Socially, widows may notice a loss of invitations to events they previously attended with their spouse, especially if the more socially active spouse has passed. Traditions around holidays and birthdays may shift or disappear. The widowhood effect is stronger when spouses have separate social circles.
Social Isolation
For seniors, widowhood often means the loss of multiple small, routine human interactions that help us thrive as social beings. There is no one else in the home to share meals with, to stand up for you against minor slights by the outside world and to say goodnight or good morning to.
If there were social engagements you took part in with other couples, you’re now faced with avoiding them or going and confronting the feelings that come with seeing other couples continue to enjoy what you’ve lost.
Any social interaction with someone who knows about the loss brings with it the specter of unwanted pity or hollow platitudes. Survivors can also feel pressure to be resilient from people who don’t understand there’s no bouncing back because life is forever changed. All of this can make widows or widowers just want to stay home by themselves as often as possible.
Some people may even avoid the widow or widower, unsure about how to discuss their grief. This avoidance can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Support and Interventions for New Widows and Widowers
Access to support systems and community resources is crucial for surviving spouses. Research has identified several evidence-based interventions that can help mitigate the negative impacts of widowhood.
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Pets: Companion animals may reduce depression and loneliness in older adults who have lost a spouse. More residential facilities for seniors might consider allowing pets or bringing therapy animals in for regular visits.
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Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity after losing a spouse has been shown to improve mood, sleep, mental status and longevity, reduce dependence on psychoactive drugs and decrease isolation.
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Emotional Support Groups: National nonprofit organizations like the Modern Widows Club, Widows Connect and Soaring Spirits International, local meetup groups for bereaved spouses and online forums dedicated to widowhood provide spaces for connection and understanding with others who have experienced a similar loss. Widows’ retreats offer a focused time for healing and connection.
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Story Sharing: Sharing your own memories of the deceased, with the widow's permission, can be a therapeutic way to honor their life and process grief. Allow space for natural emotions, including sadness and tears. While therapists can offer valuable tools and guidance, and widower groups provide a space to connect with others similarly afflicted, only people who knew the deceased personally can provide comfort through reminiscing.
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Medical Support: Having a companion, whether a friend, family member or volunteer, to accompany widows to medical appointments and help manage medications can be immensely helpful, especially if the late spouse used to perform these tasks. Depression and brain fog can make it difficult to stay on top of one’s health while grieving, which may partially explain the widowhood effect. Assistance is especially important for widows with serious conditions such as dementia, cancer or heart failure.
Family, friends, neighbors and doctors can keep an eye out for widows and offer connections to resources that can support widows’ well-being, especially in the first few months after loss. However, those who mean well should understand that their offers may be rebuked, and it’s important to respond with compassion and respect boundaries.
Widowhood Affects Everyone
Half of all married people will eventually experience the loss of a spouse, making the suffering of widows and widowers a public health issue that touches us all. It’s important to raise awareness that this life-shattering event can significantly increase the risk of death, heart disease, cognitive decline, depression, financial strain and social isolation among our friends, neighbors and other members of our community.
In our professional and personal capacities, we can use this knowledge to do a better job of identifying when and how to support the bereaved, whether through research, policy initiatives or simply asking to hear a story about a departed spouse, and then listening with our full attention.
How BrightStar Care® Can Help in the Grieving Process
BrightStar Care team members can provide support for widows and widowers during their most difficult moments with companion care. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or assisted living for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call 866-618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.