While the years after retirement are often referred to as the “golden years,” it can be anything but golden for many people navigating this complex phase of life. You may be feeling depressed or anxious, or just confused and unsure how about this next chapter. Many common problems aging individuals face include:
- Loss of friends, relatives, or pets
- Loss of faculties and having to rely on others more
- Loss of home
- Loss of driver’s license
- Caregiving burden
- Family conflict regarding future decisions (eg, moving to assisted living or not)
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Difficulty navigating a confusing health system
- Finances running out
- Complicated medical issues
- Loss of independence
- Loneliness
- Boredom
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Anxiety
- Depression, Despair, or Hopelessness
Taking Action
It’s important to remember that you are not alone. Many people face difficulty as they age for various reasons and are affected in different ways. But there are things you can do to help yourself experience joy, contentment, and fulfillment. Some suggestions include:
- Taking a class
- Learning a new hobby
- Staying as active as physically possible
- Joining a support or activity group
- Learning a new instrument
- Volunteering at an animal shelter, hospital, or any cause you feel passionate about
- Traveling somewhere new
- Working from home for extra income
- Volunteering to tutor in various school districts of need
Reaching Out
While taking new action by trying various things such as traveling, volunteering, or taking classes may prove to be a positive step and helpful, you may find that you need more and deeper emotional help. That’s where a counselor comes in. What does therapy look like? While the therapists at Deepwater Counseling always cater treatment to match your specific needs and unique situation, some examples of therapeutic methods may include:
- Family therapy to help address issues such as boundaries in caregiving for both sides and to allow family members to address concerns and find understanding. Perhaps a family caregiver is being overprotective and you need more independence. Family therapy can help with this.
- Exploring the memories that have shaped your life. By using storytelling, we’ll help you to create and understand the meaning in your life now, by discovering that which has been meaningful to you throughout your life. It allows the opportunity to understand the past experiences which have shaped your life in both positive and negative ways and how those memories can help you today.
- Re-living positive memories in order to help you experience emotion related to those memories – feelings which may have been experienced already and but need to be expressed again, or which may have been suppressed and would be useful to feel now. This can be especially beneficial for those struggling with grief and loss.
- Working with your therapist to gain a sense of wellbeing and move toward a desired change. This is especially helpful if you are experiencing uncertainty or a difficult life transition.
- Developing healthy coping skills to help you heal from emotional and mental stress.
Let Us Help
Let the therapists at Deepwater Counseling help you navigate the deeper and more difficult aspects of aging. Every stage of life has its difficulties, but we’re here to offer you the compassion and support to overcome challenges and live the fulfilling life you deserve. Contact Us Here to get started!