Emotion-Focused Coping for Seniors: Managing Change With Support

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in twenty adults in the US experiences severe mental illness each year. The figure serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of emotional support, especially for seniors dealing with change.

Raleigh, NC, known for its vibrant oak parks and thriving art scene, is a comfortable city to enjoy retirement. Local communities such as TerraBella Northridge recognize the importance of holistic well-being for aging adults and offer emotion-focused coping support.

Let's explore what the approach involves and how it can help your loved one deal with life challenges.

What Is Emotion-Focused Coping?

Emotion-focused coping emphasizes handling the emotions triggered by stress and change. Instead of trying to fix every problem, your loved one will manage their reactions to what happens around them. The approach will be handy when dealing with unavoidable life events like:

The loss of independence
Illness
Grief

When embracing emotion-focused coping, your loved one may apply various strategies. For instance, they can share their feelings with someone they trust.

They may choose to open up to a family member or a caregiver in an assisted living community. Other senior resilience techniques they can use are:

Practicing mindfulness and deep breathing
Writing in a journal
Expressing their feelings using music and art

Many seniors find comfort in their faith and spiritual beliefs. Thus, simple activities, like reading scripture and having quiet time to reflect, often bring a sense of peace during difficult times.

At TerraBella Northridge, we support all beliefs and offer space for spiritual activities.

How Emotion-Focused Coping Supports Mental Health in Assisted Living

Northridge assisted living communities offer emotional support as part of seniors' everyday life. Their tailored programs can help your loved one feel understood and cared for.

The communities also have compassionate caregivers who check in with residents frequently to inquire about their well-being and determine if they need anything.

Fun and meaningful activities engage the mind and allow seniors to connect with their peers. The employees at TerraBella Northridge understand the role active living plays in aging and emotional regulation. They can encourage your loved one to explore activities like:

Afternoon walks
Morning stretches
Puzzles and ponderings

Creative coping strategies for aging, such as painting and storytelling, provide a simple way for your loved one to express their feelings. They also help them feel calm and in control of their life.

At TerraBella Northridge, we offer fun art classes and storytelling hours. Each day also follows a calm and steady routine, allowing your loved one to feel secure and at ease. They can even participate in fun group activities to have the opportunity to talk and learn how to manage stress better.

Resources to Help With Emotion-Focused Coping in Raleigh

Raleigh has many helpful resources to complement the care provided at TerraBella Northridge. When your loved one is in senior living, they can visit local attractions like Shelley Lake Park and Lake Johnson.

Here, they'll engage in mindfulness walking to relax and enjoy the fresh air. Further, they may check out the Five Points Center for Active Adults, which offers amenities like:

A library room
Art room
Billiard room
Fitness room

The center also has fun classes and support groups where your loved one can make friends and discuss their feelings.

TerraBella Northridge ensures residents utilize senior-friendly resources near our community. Our staff plans outings to local attractions and can help your loved one discover activities and events that match their interests.

Supporting Memory Care Emotional Wellness

If your loved one is living with dementia, they can sometimes feel confused and sad. They may also worry about their future and feel uncertain about what's happening around them. These feelings might then lead to fear and frustration.

Communities offering memory care take a holistic approach to emotional well-being. They apply different senior mental health tools to ensure your loved one feels safe and comfortable. Some effective strategies they use are:

Offering predictable routines
Providing quiet spaces
Playing familiar music
Using calming scents
Creating memory boxes

Since every senior dealing with memory issues has unique needs, TerraBella Northridge customizes its services. Our person-centered approach ensures your loved one gets the best care based on factors like:

Their life story
Preferences and habits
Abilities

When caring for your loved one, our caregivers will observe how they respond to change to determine whether they are coping well or require additional support. They'll also share updates and involve you in all senior care decisions.

How Families Can Strengthen Emotional Coping

Family members play a key role in helping seniors feel calm and supported, especially as they age. So, your presence and involvement will make a big difference when your loved one faces changes. One way to help them manage their emotions is by writing encouraging notes.

Let them know you're proud of their achievements and value them. You can send these notes to your loved one's senior living community by mail or write them on a digital card.

The gesture will show that you're thinking about them and are ready to offer the necessary support. Other ways you can strengthen your loved one's emotional coping include:

Practicing active listening
Attending senior living activities for families
Asking about their favorite memories
Reminding them of their strengths
Including them in family conversations

Celebrating small wins is another powerful way to help your loved one manage change. Praise and encourage them when they join a new activity or make a friend. Doing so will boost their mood and help them feel proud of themselves.

Prioritize Your Loved One's Emotional Wellness With Expert Senior Care

Emotion-focused coping is an effective approach for managing difficult feelings and developing resilience. Choose a supportive senior living community for your loved one and encourage them to stay active. Additionally, join them during family-related events and engage them so they can feel valued.

TerraBella Northridge has been helping seniors feel safe during life's most challenging transitions for the past 30 years. Our community offers unparalleled holistic care and maintains strong ties to the local community, enabling residents to feel a deep sense of connection.

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