Resilience is generally defined as how people cope with and bounce back from stress, adverse events and major life changes – such as chronic disease, death of a partner, moving from one’s home or loss of a job.
Deeper dive
Resilience plays an important part in healthy aging. The effects of adversity on health and function in later life can vary significantly between individuals. It is how, and how well, they cope with common stressors that determines resilience. The Center for Resilience in aging at AT Still University defines the core components of resilience as:
- Optimism.
- Flexibility.
- Determination.
- Sustainability.
- Diversity.
- Balance.
- Connectedness.
Focusing on positive outcomes, adapting to change, having strength of purpose, remaining healthy over time, having a range of possibilities, maintaining psychological composure and having close ties with family and friends all contribute to resilience as we age.