From mobility issues to loneliness, seniors have problems. They encounter many challenges in their retirement. There are various schools of thought on how seniors can boost emotional support in aging and promote positive aging habits.
Many of these methods correctly focus on changing your mindset. Issues like mobility problems are somewhat inevitable. So, the only real solution is to address how you think about the problem.
However, not every problem is inevitable, and problem-focused coping can help seniors deal with problems that have actual solutions. For example, a recent study showed that problem-focused coping can significantly reduce loneliness and isolation.
Hillsborough seniors can learn these coping skills for themselves and improve their social engagement and emotional well-being as they age. Read on to learn more about this crucial wellness technique.
Problem-Based Coping Explained
So, what is problem-based coping? Simply put, it’s when you don’t focus on the abstract nature of the problem, such as your emotional perspective. Instead, you focus on the practical things that you can do to change your situation.
It’s about taking active measures to manage, resolve, or reduce the things that make you stressed. This proactive approach means that you’re tackling your problems head-on, rather than avoiding your feelings or reacting emotionally.
Problem-focused coping is significantly different from emotion-focused coping because it only focuses on soothing feelings by changing your mindset. While mindfulness and related methods can be very effective for unsolvable issues, it’s not appropriate when it’s possible to address the root problems.
For example, if a senior feels lonely and isolated, it wouldn’t be productive to focus on changing their mindset. After all, human connection and community are essential parts of senior well-being.
So instead of accepting the situation for what it is and trying to change their thoughts, a senior could take a problem-focused approach and join a local walking club. They could meet new people, make new connections, and directly address the root causes of the problem.
The senior was able to address their feelings and change their mindset. They didn’t think about it. Instead, they took an active role in addressing the problem. This is a strategy that helps seniors maintain control over their lives and create a sense of independence.
Win the Fight Against Loneliness
Loneliness is one of the issues that problem-focused coping can help seniors handle. Those who actively use problem-focused coping were found in a study by Dr Eric Schoenmakers and others to report lower stress levels and less of a sense of loneliness and isolation.
Coping well helps maintain social relationships, which is always a key part of emotional and cognitive wellness.
Problem-focused coping skills can help seniors adapt to difficult changes in their lives. For example, when dealing with mobility loss or having concerns about memory care and wellness, seniors might use problem-focused coping methods. These methods address immediate issues and enhance their social connections.
For seniors with memory care issues, the earlier they learn to implement these practical problem-solving techniques, the more ingrained the habit will be.
Problem-Focused Coping Strategies
So, how can seniors begin to implement these kinds of coping strategies in their everyday lives? One study about age differences in stress and coping suggests that seniors need to learn to clearly identify the things causing them stress and to assign them a name.
Assigning a name to something engages the brain and primes it for problem-solving, and once something has a name, you can really start to think about it and break the problems and challenges down into smaller steps.
Tackling the smallest task first and building up momentum can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by your problems. A good problem-focused coping strategy involves seeking out local information and resources and learning everything you can.
The more information you have, the more you can put that information to use to address future problems
Knowledge is important, but you also need a strong support network. Make sure you’re in regular contact with friends, family, and peer groups. Having a strong support network is an important factor in strong problem-solving ability.
Having a daily structure and routine also helps. It helps you consider how you’re going to fit your problem-solving goals into your everyday routine.
Building Resilience in Seniors
The problem-solving habits start small, but the more you build on your problem-focused coping ability, the more positive aging habits you will build up. Senior resilience means adapting positively to life’s changes, even if those changes are particularly difficult.
Seniors who build resilience through small, incremental positive habits, such as the following, promote well-being and health:
- Getting regular exercise
- Engaging socially
- Committing to lifelong learning
- Having a strong support network
These habits are also key in helping seniors ward off depression and anxiety. Seniors are susceptible to these mental health conditions. According to a study into the factors influencing emotional support of seniors, these habits can help prevent depression and also promote cognitive health.
Seniors using these strategies are much better prepared for the emotional challenges of retirement and senior living.
The Importance of Community
So, as you can see, problem-focused coping is the polar opposite of focusing on emotions. Instead of looking inwards and handling the problem from a feelings-based perspective, you take a more practical approach and deal with the issue directly.
Strong problem-solving ability isn’t down to individual efforts; it’s about having a supportive community at your side that supports you in living your best life.
Senior living communities offer a supportive, caring community where residents can help each other solve problems, develop positive aging habits, or just find an empathetic ear when needed.
Discover a Supportive Community
Here at TerraBella Hillsborough, we offer community-based assisted living packages that enable our residents to feel supported in using problem-focused coping techniques to work towards the best possible solution to the difficulties of old age and retirement.
If you’re interested in touring our community and seeing how we help with coping strategies for older adults for yourself, contact us and schedule a tour.
