Director's Message
March 2013 - Navigating Life’s TransitionsLife is full of transitions. Some of these are anticipated, welcome, joyous occasions. Others are sudden, unexpected, tragic. Some are a mix of happy and sad. But they occur nonetheless, starting the day we are born. As we journey through life, we go off to the first day of school, the first sleep-over, the birth of a sibling, childhood illness. Then there is first love, transition from home, employment, marriage, children, new jobs and communities. Many of these transitions are marked by growth and change. For some of you there have been wars and immigration, loss of family members. And now in the last third of life, it may seem that many transitions are losses—of partners, career, good health, independence.We talk a lot at PSRC about supporting people through life transitions. What does this mean? It means staff listening attentively when someone needs to talk. It means building peer support and community in every activity at PSRC. It means offering professional guidance through individual and family consultations and support groups. It means connecting you to services that will help you adapt to the changes in your life. It means building resilience, that ability to cope with stress and adversity. Resilience often develops with experience. It can come from the inner reserves of faith, outlook, attitude and personality. It can grow with support from family and friends.
As you continue on this journey of life, you will likely experience several more transitions. Have you thought about some of the changes that might lie ahead and what you would do? Planning ahead and being flexible in adapting a plan can make a big difference. Think about past experiences and the coping skills that have helped you through. What is the source of your resilience? Where do you turn for strength? Do you let friends and family help, or try go it alone? Whom can you enlist to help with the things that are most challenging for you? Talk to a PSRC Care Coordinator who can support you and help you get the resources you need.
When I meet with someone going through a difficult life transition, I listen carefully to how you experience the change, trying not to impose my own assumptions. I want to hear about the aspects that are most distressing and how you are coping. I want to acknowledge the things that are working, because sometimes it is hard to find strengths amidst the grief and fear. Perhaps there are coping skills that you have used in the past that can be applied now. I want to help create an action plan that will help you through the transition, to grow from the experience, to feel more resilient.
For example, I recently talked with a widow who felt overwhelmed by the paperwork that needed to be done and was very lonely after her husband’s death. I was able to connect her with professionals who help with paperwork, as well as the AARP tax aides, and encouraged her to think about the social benefits of living in a community and participating more in PSRC activities. She was grateful for the support and ready to take the first step.
Together we can navigate life transitions.
Susan W. Hoskins LCSW
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Previous MessagesJune 2013 - Age Friendly Communities June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |