March
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, 1861
I do not know about you, but I am so ready for spring.
This year, winter came early, and often. Northeast Ohio had its first snow on November 10. By mid- February, there were 31 straight days of measurable snow on the ground according to the National Weather Service. Some areas of the region have had up to 60 inches of snow. It was also bitterly cold. There was an 18 day period where the temperature never rose above 32 degrees. It was not the coldest day on record. That occurred in 1994. But I did not live here then.
It was the sort of winter everyone pictures when you tell them you live in Cleveland. It could be worse. You might live in Buffalo.
Winter weather, even when it is not record-breaking, can be hard on older adults. Cold weather increases the risk of hypothermia or frostbite. All that ice and snow increase the risk of falling on slick surfaces. Cold weather can be harder on people living with chronic disease, especially those with circulatory, mobility or memory issues. It can be a challenge to stay safe and warm.
But March comes, and brings some hope of warmer, sunnier days.
Technically, most of March is still winter. The spring equinox does not happen until March 20th. But something about turning to a new page on the calendar makes spring seem so much closer. There is more daylight. More daily highs above freezing. Last weekend, a sunny afternoon was an encouragement for my wife and I to get out of the house. We crossed over the bridge and walked down to the Flats. There was still ice on the sidewalks in places. We saw seagulls walking on the river near where it empties into Lake Erie. The river was still frozen over. The lake was, too. But as we stood there, we heard the water rushing through drains and downspouts. It may not have been a sign of spring, but the melting snow on a sunny afternoon was proof that winter was finally ending.
That afternoon walk was good for the mind and the body. After a few weeks of avoiding the cold, it was good to get up and get moving. A brisk walk is part of an exercise routine. Adding in some resistance training makes it more so. It helps burn calories and build muscle mass. There is also evidence it helps improve sleep and memory, as well as improving your sense of mental and physical well-being.
The March thaw, and the promise of warmer, sunnier days ahead, is an apt metaphor for the value of resilience. In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, Gabriella Lima, et al, identify resilience as a “key protective factor” in the ability of older adults to deal with difficult experiences. Resilience is “composed of two attributes, available resources and positive behaviors, and defined as positive attitudes of older people with the assistance of resources available from experiences of adversity.”
That day on our walk, my wife commented, “If it was this cold in October, I would have worn my heavy coat.” But she left her parka at home. I had to agree. I was not quite ready to get out my cargo shorts, but 42 degrees in February felt a lot warmer than it had in the previous fall. That’s resilience in a nutshell. It felt better out because we felt better about it.
The American Psychological Association describes resilience as the “process of effectively adapting in the face of adversity, trauma, or significant stress.” It is the ability to “bounce back,” in part because you believe you can. In her blog on The Psychology of Aging for Psychology Today, Regina Koepp wrote, “In my two decades of working with individuals facing life-altering medical conditions, including those in hospice care, I’ve witnessed a profound truth: People are not defined by their challenges. Instead, they embody resilience, particularly in their most vulnerable moments.” She notes strategies to enhance resilience in older adults, including maintaining relationships and being active in the community.
Resilience is shaped by the life experiences of people of all ages. The ways that we view, respond and adapt to life events help build resilience. And resilience is an important element of happy, healthy functioning. Lima writes that the character of resilience is adaptive attitudes and “keeping active, having a purpose in life, managing limitations and performing self-care activities.” Lima’s study focused on how nursing in healthcare settings can help promote resilience in older adults. The same principles apply to community supports, because resilience is developed over a lifetime of experiences, not just when someone is critically ill.
Positive Attitudes and Available Resources
Building resilience is an important element of Benjamin Rose’s mission to serve as a trusted partner in the aging journey. Our programs focus on promoting health and wellness and connecting older adults and family caregivers with community resources. All of our services include elements that help build resilience: activities that help build positive attitudes and connect people with available resources. Here are a few examples:
- Rose on the Go provides opportunities to participate in activities or learn new skills outside of a traditional senior center setting, but with accommodations to make it easier for older adults to take part. Participants learn new skills, build community connections and enhance their health and wellness.
- Senior Companions are peer volunteers who are matched with other older adults to promote companionship and minimize isolation. Volunteers are trained by Benjamin Rose and receive a small stipend to cover out of pocket expenses. Both the volunteers and their peers report improved mental health and social engagement from the time they spend together.
- Financial Counseling and Coaching helps people take greater control of their financial situation, with help in budgeting, financial planning and goal setting. Many participants are dealing with job loss or medical bills that have put their finances at risk. They find tools that lead to better credit scores and greater peace of mind.
- Mental Health Group Treatment connects people diagnosed with severe mental health disorders with peers and behavioral health professionals to develop coping skills, self-care and managing behaviors. Guided group discussion combined with individual therapeutic support leads the better outcomes for participants.
You can learn more about these and other service pillars of Benjamin Rose on our website.
March is a season of rebirth and renewal. Those first signs of warmer weather, of the resilience of nature, are a reminder that we can be more resilient, too. Many of the ways we can build resilience not only make us happier and healthier—they also help make better, stronger communities, too. It can start with (literally) a small step.
Today might be a good day for a walk.
Check out the activities at Benjamin Rose by visiting our website. If you are looking for things to do, Cleveland Traveler has a great list of outdoor activities for spring. Warmer weather is coming, but there are still cold days. The National Institute on Aging has helpful Tips for Exercising Safely in Cold Weather.