Final answer:
A good way to help a grieving parent is to provide a non-judgmental and supportive environment for them to express their feelings, suggesting various grief expression methods, and encouraging reflection on the grief stages. Understanding that grief is a unique and individual process is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
A good way to help a grieving parent express their feelings is to provide a supportive environment where they feel safe to share their emotions. Encouraging open communication, being an active listener without judgment, and acknowledging their pain can be very beneficial. It can be helpful to suggest different methods of expressing grief, such as writing, art, or speaking with a counselor or in a support group.
In understanding grief better, one can explore the five stages of grief by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. People may experience these stages in different orders and at varying paces. Reflecting on one's own experiences with loss can help empathize with the grieving process of others. This reflection can involve recalling past personal losses and analyzing the stages of grief encountered. It is important to recognize that reaching the stage of acceptance does not mean the grief is completely gone, but rather that the person has found a way to live with the loss.
It's crucial to understand that everyone's grief journey is unique. The concepts described by McMillan et al. (2006) and in works like "This Is Just To Say" shed light on the psychological and emotional aspects of grief and how support and intervention can help. Grief can deeply affect one's identity and memories, especially when it involves a loss within a family. Elders, who often connect us with our past, may require support that they are hesitant to accept, thus making empathy and tactful approaches essential.