Going through life means going through changes, and not all of them are good ones. Even positive changes can have a huge effect on your well-being, and you might find it difficult to cope.
The senior in your life might've recently retired, lost a loved one, or been diagnosed with health challenges. As a result, they may have picked up unhealthy habits (like drinking), and this can negatively impact their health.
It's essential that they have healthy adjustment techniques, though. That way, they'll have a positive aging experience and good emotional wellness.
This article will go over adaptive coping so your beloved senior in Chattanooga, TN, can have excellent mental health in later life.
First, you have to learn about senior support tools before you can help them. Here are the various ways your loved one can adapt in a healthy way.
As the name implies, shift-and-persist coping involves two key steps.
The first is shifting your perspective. For example, maybe your loved one can no longer drive and is upset over this. They can shift their perspective by viewing this as an opportunity to use local transit and try out new social activities.
The second step is persisting with hope. Seniors should focus on what remains meaningful rather than on what's been lost. For instance, they can put their energy into their remaining relationships, hobbies, or volunteering.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective therapy that helps change unhelpful thought patterns into more constructive ones. For example, if a senior believes that they're a burden, then CBT can help change those thoughts into "I'm still valuable and capable."
You can look into local programs by finding therapists on Psychology Today. There are professionals who can tailor their sessions for older adults.
What's great is that many CBT techniques can be practiced at home. Your loved one can use thought logs or reframing worksheets to reframe their thoughts.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is focused on emotion regulation and distress tolerance. It teaches mindfulness exercises, such as:
It also teaches interpersonal skills; more specifically, assertiveness. This allows seniors to set healthy boundaries with family or caregivers.
Mind-body practices are essential for reducing physiological symptoms of stress. They include:
Now that you know what's available for adaptive coping, you may be curious about how to help your loved one put these strategies into practice. Read on for our tips.
Consistency is important for reducing anxiety and promoting mental clarity. So help your senior create a routine they can stick to. Having predictable events (like weekly Zoom calls with the grandkids) can build a sense of stability too.
Social interaction is vital for humans; having it can improve cognitive health and emotional resilience. Suggest that your senior loved one:
Part of keeping up your mental health is keeping your brain healthy. Have your loved one challenge themselves by downloading brain fitness apps for memory and logic. They can also audit classes or attend local library events.
Another helpful thing is journaling or writing personal memoirs.
Staying active boosts your mental health and resilience too. Try going on mood-boosting walks on nature trails like the Tennessee Riverwalk.
For more structure, try Chattanooga Parks & Recreation. They'll have adapted fitness classes for seniors.
When someone has creative outlets, they'll get a sense of purpose, and they'll process emotions better as well. Some ideas here include:
Now, let's tie in everything you've learned. Here's a five-step process that can help your loved one take control of their mental well-being.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to clearly see what's upsetting you. Some common issues include:
If your beloved senior can't pinpoint what's stressing them, then suggest they use a mood tracker or journal. These can help identify recurring stress patterns.
"SMART" stands for:
By setting SMART goals, your loved one can keep goals manageable. You can celebrate small wins with them too!
While they're highly effective, not every coping strategy is optimal for every situation. It's important to match needs to strategies.
Here are some examples:
Some great support resources to connect with therapists or peers are McNabb and NAMI. You can also use city directories or 211 East Tennessee for service referrals.
It can take some time to realize whether or not something's working, so it's crucial to track progress. Have your loved one keep a weekly journal on their:
They can then modify their routines based on not only their energy levels and support needs, but also on things like the season.
Wondering what else you can do for your loved one? Here are some practical tips to support healthy coping.
Communicate with your loved senior regularly and use open-ended questions. And encourage autonomy by letting them lead their own schedules and decisions.
Most importantly, watch for signs of decline. If there are changes in eating, sleep, or hygiene, they've withdrawn from social activities, or have expressions of hopelessness, then it may be time to have a professional intervene.
Dealing with both positive and negative life changes can be extremely challenging, especially as you get older. But with adaptive coping techniques, it's possible to get through difficulties in a healthy manner.
Get in touch with us now if you're interested in finding a senior living community in Chattanooga. Creekside at Shallowford has numerous roomy floor plans to choose from.