Director's Message
Resiliency February 2007Resiliency February 2007
Too often we associate old age with adjectives like frail, isolated and vulnerable. We all know people who have become vulnerable, often after a significant event such as the loss of a loved one or a major health event, sometimes at a relatively young age. But others live full, engaged lives for years despite such events. What makes the difference?
“In every older adult, there is a core of survivorship and strength that has allowed the person to pass through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and now to reach their older adult years. Along the way, they have faced good and bad times, have laughed and cried, have known pain and pleasure, and even though, for many, it has been rough going, they have survived.
Older adults are now at a life stage where there will be even greater challenges, but always coupled with the potential to lead a life that is fulfilling. This ability to deal with life’s blows and still to find satisfaction is called resiliency, the ability to bounce back and to keep going. Being resilient allows an older adult to live through the difficulties and losses as they occur without resorting to harmful behaviors…
Resiliency is made up of many things, the characteristics of the person, abilities that they may have been born with, attitudes toward others and the world, skills that have been developed along the way, belief in themselves and an understanding of how they fit into the big picture. In every older person there is a unique pattern of the pieces that makes that person resilient.”1
The wonderful thing about resiliency is that it can be strengthened at any point in life. Review the resources that have helped you navigate earlier transitions in your life.
Life conditions that support resiliency include:
Personal qualities that can support resiliency include:
By reviewing these factors, you can identify areas that need strengthening as well as resources that you can call on when faced with a life transition. PSRC offers many ways to build resiliency as well as services to support those who are vulnerable. If you are interested in a class on building resiliency in the Spring, call 924-7108.
1- Older Adult Resiliency Work Group, Governors Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Trenton, NJ 2005.
Susan W. Hoskins LCSW
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Previous MessagesJune 2013 - Age Friendly Communities June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |