I think the best thing to do for S is just be "there" to listen. He shows up late shakesphere because he is probably pushing himself to go to the group meeting. My guess is that while he may be thinking about distracting himself with the group topic, he ends up just venting to the group about his challenge because he is really at such a loss.

If someone experiences a challenge like this with a life partner, it really is a loss because all of a sudden that partner is just not there and a person begins to recognize the significance of what that other person meant to them. Everyone I have ever talked to that either is challenged with a situation S is dealing with or a total loss has talked about how incredibly lonely they are. In this situation if it was happening with someone other than someone's significant other, the couple would be experiencing this challenge together. Well, S doesn't have that so he really is facing a huge life challenge on his own.

It was nice of the group to "listen" to him and even to just "be there" for him the way you all were. And you are right shakesphere, maybe the staff is right and S is experiencing what many do where they feel the challenged individual is really there and responding when in reality the outlook is poor. In that case S will just have to work through this challenge one day at a time and the group can support him best by listening and being "there" so he can just talk it out while he tries to move forward with this very challenging experience.

Sometimes individuals can suffer from a stroke and damage yet with help can recover and do a lot in spite of the damage. It depends on the individual's age, overall health, and how much damage is really present. Sometimes it ends where the individual simply suffers too much damage and may not survive.