Coping with Illness: Building Resilience as a Senior

Becoming ill at any age can come with a great deal of uncertainty. Whether
it's a chronic illness or an acute problem, it can wreak havoc on our mental
and physical health and well-being. Developing resilience, or the ability to
adapt well to stress, trauma, tragedy, or threats, can help individuals at any
age cope with illness, helping to bounce back from difficult experiences and
overcome adversities.
For seniors, in particular, coping with ongoing illness can be tough. If
you have faced an illness, you may have wondered how to cope better and manage
ongoing changes. Below, keep reading to learn practical tips and ways seniors
can manage the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty that often come with illness.
What Is Resilience?
Before you can understand how to cultivate resilience, it's first
important to understand what resilience truly encompasses. As defined by the
American Psychiatric Association, resilience "is a complex and active
process that is influenced by both genetics and environment, with the potential
to change over time." Even when faced with adversities, those who exhibit
a high level of resilience find a way to adapt and grow.
When faced with illness of any sort, uncertainty can become overbearing
and nearly crippling. With so many unanswered questions, it's normal to begin
feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed. However, building resilience and
managing stress can help you face your illness with grace and positivity.
Find Enjoyment in Life's
Simple Pleasures
One simple way to build resilience starts with appreciating life's simple
pleasures. Instead of focusing on all the bad that comes with your illness,
find time to appreciate the small daily pleasures of life.
This approach can help you to focus on fostering positive emotions and
build optimism into your routine. Consider the small pleasures that bring you
joy, whether it's sipping on freshly roasted coffee or sitting out and feeling
the sun on your skin. These things in your environment may seem small or
unimportant. However, they hold great weight and help you remain positive, even
when faced with adversities.
Engage in New Activities
While it's normal to want to withdraw when ill, engaging in new
activities can bring you more happiness when faced with tough situations.
Spending time away from the things you love can make it even more difficult to
beat an illness.
Instead, engaging in new activities can bring you a new purpose and
fixation, helping you to cultivate resilience. Whether bike riding or knitting,
focus on finding a new activity that brings you joy. Activities such as playing
tennis can be independent or even enjoyed in a group.
Refocus Worries on Things
Within Control
Illness can make a person and their loved ones feel helpless. With
helplessness comes worry. However, this worry can soon become overwhelming,
leaving long-lasting effects on a person's mental health. Instead, seniors can
build resilience by refocusing worries on things within their control.
For example, remind yourself that worrying about something cannot change
the outcome. Look for controllable actions, such as how you'll spend your time
or with whom you'll spend your time. Rather than spending time worrying, changing
things within your control can be empowering and help provide optimism.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one is facing illness, we can help. Building resilience
when faced with illness can help seniors develop coping mechanisms vital to
their physical, emotional, and mental health. If you are struggling to cope
with an illness, your medical team can help. Reach out to your local center for
support—we're here to help!
Want to learn more ways to advance your health? Explore our other health
resources to help support your general health and wellness.
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