In time she has mellowed, but has remained a difficult resident. Most residents are not as expressive of their anger when they experience loss as was Helen. However, nearly all need to talk through what they perceive to be happening to them. They need to see the possibility of learning a new meaning for this phase of life. Another response to loss is complacency.
Some residents seem to have moved out, to have vacated their bodies, and left no forwarding address.
They assume a stance of helplessness and decide they need to be totally served. The literature on learned helplessness is sadly too true. I think specifically of a former attorney who decided he was now worthless and he refused to even get out of bed. He still was able to walk and not seriously cognitively impaired, though he was frail. According to the friend's report, the attorney shortly was out of bed and resumed living activities.