PHITNESS - Psychologically Healthy Aging

PHITNESS is an acronym for the components of our program for psychological health and wellness.

PH - Psychological Health  

A person does not have to be sick to feel better. Health is not the opposite of sickness. This is particularly true of psychological health. Just as physical health is also not an accident, psychologically health requires focus and work. The PHITNESS sessions provide the opportunities and tools.

I -Ideas

Learning new concepts and thinking out of the box are not only useful but fun and motivating. Each session presents new content and reframes established psychological concepts in consumer friendly events. 

T -Transitions

Of all the life stages, the senior years present the most challenging transitions. Transitions from home to assisted living, transitions from making decisions for the family to having the family decide, transitions related to changes in health and physical abilities, transitions from living alone to having roommates, transitions from independence to needing assistance, transitions to being less cognitively adept, etc.

N - Now

This is an extremely important component of mental health. Do it now. Experience it now. Resolve it now. Procrastination is a mortal enemy of psychologically healthy aging.

- Energy

Energy is a valuable commodity especially for older people and learning to use it positively is a component of psychologically healthy living. Too often people are drained by negative self talk, lack of positive validations, obsessive worrying, etc. Changing self defeating habits is a reported expected outcome.

- Strategies

It is not enough to want to change behavior or to alter a negative outlook. There must be a plan with realistic and achievable steps. PHITNESS coaches assist in the development of realistic strategies. “What are you going to do? “ is a common question asked of PHITNESS participants. “What is the problem?” is another frequent question. Problem solving is an important strategy that is taught in PHITNESS sessions. PHITNESS teaches problems solving as a cornerstone of making opportunities out of obstacles.

S - Satisfaction

It is likely that very few people would choose to live less independently if circumstances did not necessitate this. It takes work and skills to be satisfied in a situation that is not wanted or expected. However, participants of PHITNESS report that achieving goals, shedding compulsive worry, feeling in control, appreciating what is, giving up lamenting about what is not, learning how to make friends  and  enjoy community life are outcomes that have made them much more satisfied with their situations.