Faced with the death of a spouse, many older people feel their entire world has changed. They may struggle with feelings of shock, sorrow, anger, fear, and occasionally guilt. Grief can make everyday activities like sleeping and eating difficult. To help older people cope with grief, the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has added Mourning the Death of a Spouse to its Age Page series of easy-to-read brochures on health topics and related concerns.

When a spouse dies, the widow or widower can feel emotional and physical pain. In many cases, they do not know where to turn for help. This new publication provides useful and practical advice on topics ranging from reactions to death to taking charge of life again. The brochure covers many facets of mourning and learning to live without a partner. The newly widowed can learn about:

• Symptoms of grieving
• Ways to take care of yourself
• Gender differences in mourning
• Tips for taking responsibility for your life
• Handling legal/ business matters
• Learning to live on your own

For a free copy of this Age Page and other useful health information, contact the NIA Information Center at 1-800-222-2225 or visit www.nia.nih.gov.

The NIA is the leading federal agency supporting and conducting biomedical, social and behavioral research and training related to aging and the diseases and special needs of older people.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.