One in five adults in Los Angeles County is a senior, and that number is projected to increase by 2030. It's why La Mirada Heights, located between Los Angeles and Anaheim, is a popular retirement destination. With a wide variety of attractions and amenities, it can empower seniors to take their well-being into their own hands and live a full and active lifestyle in their later years.
Taking this sort of proactive approach to retirement is an example of a problem focused coping strategy. Read on to learn more about what this strategy means and why it's relevant to you as you move into your elder years.
We all face challenges in life that leave us feeling anxious and emotionally wrought. Problem focused coping is a specific approach developed by mental health experts to address these challenges in a practical and positive manner. The theory is that by taking an active approach to stressors and challenges in life, you can gain a better sense of control and manage your worries.
For seniors, this approach may be a way to help navigate some common challenges at this stage in life, such as the transition from a family home to an independent living community.
Feeling emotionally well in your senior years helps protect against mental health issues like depression, and it also gives you more energy and vitality to enjoy your day. So it's a worthwhile pursuit for everyone. Problem-focused coping can help alleviate some of that emotional strain.
For example, you can use active problem solving to address recent health changes, such as a diagnosis of a chronic condition like diabetes or dementia.
It's an approach that helps you find practical steps to face a challenge head-on rather than get into a negative cycle of worry and despair. That helps make you more resilient, meaning you are more likely to weather future storms that arise in your later years.
Some challenges are more likely to arise when you reach your senior years. Understanding these risks can help you prepare and give you time to develop practical strategies to address them. Here are some of the issues seniors often face:
Even if these are worries rather than realities right now, you can start to note down some practical ways to address them, which could help alleviate your anxiety. For example, if you are concerned about developing arthritis, consult a healthcare professional about dietary and exercise modifications that can help reduce your risk of arthritis.
Likewise, financial worries can be addressed head-on by consulting a professional about how to manage your savings and retirement funds better.
Resilience is a crucial quality for everyone to possess when managing their mental health. It's all about being able to tackle problems and obstacles without them overwhelming you, much like building a defensive wall against the possibility of attack.
The best way to build resilience is to review the challenges you face and begin to break them down into more manageable steps with achievable goals. For example, perhaps you are worried that you face declining mobility.
You can start researching mobility aids that can help make small, day-to-day tasks easier. That's one small step that's easy to achieve. Another step you could take is to find an adapted fitness class that accommodates those with limited mobility, such as chair yoga.
Taking this proactive approach by addressing problems and finding small solutions can help you feel mentally stronger. It makes you better prepared to handle any future difficulties that may emerge.
If you are a resident of an independent living community or are considering moving to one, problem-focused coping can be a valuable strategy to master. But you don't need to do this on your own.
Being part of a community means you have people around you to help guide and support you. For example, suppose you find that memory lapses complicate your routines. In that case, you can speak with your independent living care team for extra help, such as setting up daily digital reminders to take your medication.
This approach is about taking small, mitigating actions that make everyday life less stressful, and our caring team at La Mirada Heights is here to help you every step of the way.
One of the advantages of living in a community like La Mirada Heights is that you are close to some of the most vibrant and exciting parts of nearby Los Angeles.
A top location like this can be vital for maximizing problem-focused coping strategies, as it provides access to amenities and attractions that can be central to your solutions. For example, if you are worried about feeling isolated, you could connect with the many volunteer networks and community groups available in LA, helping you find people who share your interests and values.
Alternatively, consider arranging a family reunion at a nearby restaurant if you worry about missing loved ones when transitioning to senior living.
Similarly, a low mood or an anxious state can be countered by spending time in nature, and in LA, you can head to the beautiful beaches or one of the nearby green and serene state parks or nature reserves. It provides you with a vast range of options, so when you're putting together problem-focused strategies, you're not limited in any way.
Problem focused coping strategies remind us that we don't have to be passive when faced with challenges. Resilience in our senior years comes from tackling problems head-on; when you do, you set yourself up for a retirement where emotional well-being comes first.
Embrace your senior years by selecting a vibrant and active community. Book a tour to view La Mirada Heights and discover what we have to offer, from our all-inclusive amenities to beautiful landscaped gardens and weekly outings.