Visions Journal

Navigating health challenges in aging

Theodore D. Cosco, PHD (CANTAB), CPSYCHOL

Reprinted from the The Ongoing Journey of Recovery: Recovery across the lifespan issue of Visions Journal, 2025, 20 (3), pp. 7-9

Mental health is a deeply personal and nuanced journey, especially for older adults. And recovery is not a one-size-fits-all idea. It's about adapting to the physical, cognitive and emotional changes that come with aging. All these changes are also influenced by a complex web of social, demographic and economic factors.

For older adults, recovery is not only about restoring what once was. It's about finding new ways to move forward—doing your best with what you have. For some, recovery means learning to live with chronic pain or with mental health challenges. For others, it's about maintaining social connections despite mobility challenges, adjusting expectations and finding new ways to thrive.

Whatever the specific changes, embracing a new normal and redefining success should not be based on societal standards, but on each person's evolving needs and capabilities.

Going forward, not turning back the clock

One of the most persistent misconceptions about health, especially mental health, is the belief that recovery means returning to a state of perfect health. This expectation is not only unrealistic but unfair.

For older adults, the expectation that they can "get over" health challenges can be unhelpful. Recovery often involves managing chronic conditions or adjusting to new limitations. Learning to live fully within the context of one's circumstances can be a truer path to recovery, including accepting the physiological, psychological and socioeconomic aspects of one's life. For example, adjusting a senior's environment after a fall can facilitate recovery; however, this may be limited by the resources they have available to them.

It's crucial that society understands the complexities older adults face, not only in terms of health challenges, but also in navigating the natural changes associated with aging itself. Recovery is often about redefining success—not by an external standard, but by what brings meaning, purpose and fulfillment to an individual's life.

Recovery spans mental, emotional, social and even spiritual dimensions. For some, this could mean being able to walk to the end of the driveway to get the newspaper; for others it could be returning to the workforce.

What is success as we age?

As a PhD student, I explored the concept of successful aging for a mind-numbing three years. First, I examined how researchers defined successful aging. I found 105 unique definitions, most of which emphasized physical functioning and the absence of disease.¹ A very different picture emerged when I examined how older adults defined successful aging. They emphasized psychosocial aspects.² These include:

• emotional resilience

• social engagement

• maintaining a sense of purpose

This disconnect between academic definitions and personal experiences demonstrates the importance of broadening our understanding of recovery. Recovery is not just about physical health; it's also about emotional well-being, social connections and living a meaningful life, regardless of one's health status.

A digital divide

Imagine needing a follow-up appointment after surgery but you're unable to use the hospital's online portal or a prescription refill. You might be on hold for hours because the digital system is too complicated. For many older adults, this isn't a hypothetical scenario, but a daily struggle.

As health care becomes increasingly digitized, older adults face real challenges related to digital literacy. In today's world, tasks such as booking medical appointments or accessing telehealth services often mean navigating digital systems that many older adults are not familiar with. The COVID-19 pandemic made these challenges harder, highlighting the need for adaptation and resilience in the face of rapidly changing health care practices.

The digital divide is more than a technical issue. It's a barrier to accessing essential health care services. Addressing this divide can mean teaching technical skills, but more importantly, we also need to:

• design inclusive systems that cater to diverse needs

• ensure that no one is left behind due to a lack of digital proficiency

Dollars and cents

Recovery may also carry a financial burden for older adults. But this burden goes beyond medical bills. It includes:

• transportation costs for appointments

• home modifications for safety

• caregiver expenses

For some, these costs become the deciding factor between seeking necessary treatment or "making do."

The financial challenges of recovery highlight the need for more comprehensive support systems. Policy changes that provide financial assistance for older adults and community programs that offer practical support can significantly improve their recovery journeys.

For example, in BC, the Age-friendly Communities (AFC) program offers grants to local and Indigenous governments to develop and implement projects that promote the health and well-being of older adults. In 2023, the AFC program awarded a total of $500,000 in grants across 25 communities in B.C., supporting initiatives that enable seniors to age in place and remain active in their communities.³

People-centred care

Social support is one of the most vital, yet often overlooked, aspects of recovery. Aging can be an isolating experience, especially after a health setback, such as a fall. Loneliness and social isolation can significantly impact both mental and physical health, slowing the recovery process. Social connections provide more than emotional comfort. They also encourage physical activity, cognitive engagement and a sense of purpose—all of which contribute to a holistic recovery process.

Ultimately, recovery is about doing the best you can within your circumstances. It's about adapting to a new normal and finding ways to live a fulfilling life, even when faced with challenges. For older adults, this might mean accepting help, using mobility aids or discovering joy in smaller, quieter shared moments.

The future of recovery

Recovery isn't always about "getting better." Recognizing that fulfillment and well-being are not solely determined by physical health, we must also look to emotional resilience, social connections and a sense of purpose.

We must broaden our understanding of recovery to create a more inclusive approach to health and well-being. This means challenging traditional definitions, recognizing the unique challenges older adults face and redefining what success looks like.

We need policies that address digital literacy, provide financial support for those who need it most and improve health care access. Above all, we must listen to and respect older adults' journeys.

Recovery is not meeting a societal standard. It's navigating the winding path of life—full of ups and downs, setbacks and victories—on your terms. It's doing your best with what you have where you are.

The narrative of recovery, especially for older adults, must evolve to acknowledge its complexity, individuality and emotional depth. By redefining success and creating supportive, inclusive systems, we can help older adults find fulfillment and peace—whatever that may look like for them.