Are you, or someone you love, struggling with life transitions and the changes in your relationships that are associated with aging?
While aging is a natural part of life, we may not always understand how this impacts our day to day lives. We work all of our lives; build a business, earn a degree, work hard in our chosen field, raise our children to adulthood and look forward to retirement so we can relax and enjoy it all. It sounds wonderful: the Golden Years.
But this is not always the case. Sometimes retirement, coupled with health conditions and aging matters can result in a loss of identity or sense of purpose that we often felt as a result of our occupational involvement. We had a sense of connectedness with colleagues and neighbors. Not to mention as we age, we lose relationships: it maybe friends and family move far away, or worse, pass away. That is not what any of us hoped for- the compounding losses we experience throughout the lifespan.
We don’t Plan to lose our independence, but acute and chronic health conditions can rob us of our sense of autonomy and cause us to need more help with everyday tasks such as shopping, driving, or managing all the appointments with various providers. You may have always been a very independent person, but all of us need help from time to time. For some of us- it can feel intolerable to Need people to help us; so we may not feel comfortable to ASK for help.
Downsizing takes on a whole new meaning when you have lost your partner, feel forced to sell your beloved home and relocate to a Senior living community. Then, there is the matter of appointing a designee, pre need guardian or even a court ordered guardianship in which we cannot make some of our own decisions anymore.
You don’t have to be diagnosed with depression or an adjustment disorder to experience feelings of devastation, isolation, loneliness or even resentment when the events that have transpired.
Having worked more than a decade with seniors, I have seen how unexpected complications with aging and fractured relationships compound the emotional pain that you are experiencing.
If you, or an aging loved one, are struggling with these life transitions, call today to schedule a consultation to see if supportive counseling could be helpful.
