Living vibrantly, aging gracefully.

Positive Aging: Building Resilience, Relationships, and Well-Being

CHI’s Aging in Action services offer aging adults the tools, resources, and support necessary to achieve a happy, fulfilling, and healthy life. By addressing mental health concerns, enhancing coping skills, building stronger relationships, and promoting positive lifestyle changes, counseling services can help aging adults experience their best possible life. With the guidance and support of counseling professionals, aging adults can navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence, resilience, and well-being.

Improved Mental Health

Older adults are at increased risk for developing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness. These issues can arise from a variety of factors, including physical health problems, life transitions such as retirement or loss of a loved one, and social isolation.

CHI’s Aging in Action program can provide a safe and supportive environment for older adults to explore these issues and work towards greater mental and emotional well-being. Therapists can help older adults develop coping strategies to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). They can also help address feelings of loneliness or isolation by providing social support and encouraging participation in community activities.

Counseling services can also help older adults address past traumas or unresolved issues that may be impacting their mental health in the present. Therapists can help older adults work through grief, loss, and other difficult emotions that may arise during the aging process.

The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.

Frank Lloyd Wright

In addition, counseling services can provide a space for older adults to discuss and address any concerns related to cognitive decline or memory loss. Counselors can provide support and resources for managing these issues and can help connect older adults to medical professionals for further evaluation or treatment if needed.

Better Coping Skills

As people age, they may face a variety of challenges and life transitions that can be difficult to navigate alone. Counseling services can provide older adults with tools and strategies to better cope with these challenges.

Counselors can help older adults identify and challenge negative thinking patterns that may contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression. Through therapy sessions, older adults can learn new coping strategies and problem-solving skills that can help them navigate difficult situations and manage their emotions.

For example, therapists may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help older adults identify negative thoughts or beliefs that may be contributing to their distress. They can then help them develop strategies to challenge and reframe these thoughts in a more positive light.

Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.

Betty Friedan

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is another therapeutic approach that can be helpful for older adults in developing coping skills. This technique involves practicing mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness exercises to reduce stress and increase feelings of relaxation and well-being.

In addition to therapy sessions, counseling services may also offer support groups for older adults. These groups can provide a space for older adults to connect with others who may be experiencing similar challenges and learn from each other’s coping strategies.

Enhanced Relationships

As people age, relationships with family members, friends, and partners may change or become strained. Aging in Action can provide older adults with support and guidance for navigating these changes and improving relationships.

Therapists can help older adults improve communication and resolve conflicts with family members, which can lead to stronger and more fulfilling relationships. Counseling services can also help older adults develop strategies for building and maintaining social connections, which can be especially important for older adults who may be experiencing social isolation.

Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.

Walt Disney

For example, therapists may work with older adults to identify activities or hobbies that they enjoy and that provide opportunities for social connection. They may also encourage older adults to participate in community activities or volunteer work to expand their social networks.

Aging in Action can also be helpful for older adults who are experiencing difficulties in their romantic relationships. Therapists can provide support and guidance for addressing issues such as communication, intimacy, and trust. They can also provide resources and referrals for couples therapy or other forms of relationship counseling if needed.

Greater Resilience

As people age, they may face a variety of challenges and life transitions, such as retirement, declining physical health, or loss of a loved one. Counseling services can help older adults build greater resilience and learn to adapt to these changes.

Therapists can help older adults develop coping strategies and problem-solving skills that can help them navigate difficult situations and transitions. They can also help older adults identify their strengths and build on them to develop greater resilience.

We don’t grow older, we grow riper.

Pablo Picasso

For example, therapists may work with older adults to identify areas in their life where they feel a sense of purpose or fulfillment, such as volunteering or spending time with grandchildren. By focusing on these areas of strength, therapists can help older adults develop a greater sense of resilience and adaptability.

In addition to therapy sessions, counseling services may also offer support groups for older adults. These groups can provide a space for older adults to connect with others who may be experiencing similar challenges and learn from each other’s resilience strategies.

Improved Quality of Life

CHI’s Aging in Action services can help older adults feel more empowered, confident, and engaged in their lives, leading to an overall improved quality of life.

Therapists can help older adults identify their goals and values and develop strategies for achieving them. This can help older adults feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which can contribute to overall well-being.

Age is an opportunity no less than youth itself.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Our services can also provide older adults with support and guidance for making positive lifestyle changes, such as improving diet and exercise habits or quitting smoking. By making these changes, older adults can improve their physical health and feel better overall.

In addition, counseling services can provide older adults with resources and support for maintaining independence and autonomy as they age. This can include assistance with navigating healthcare systems, developing advance care plans, and identifying community resources for support.

If you’re ready to take this step, we invite you to contact us for more information or to set up an appointment.