Individual resilience and dealing with change
The word ‘resilience’ for many residents and staff meant a personal capability – how an individual dealt with changes or upsets to day-to-day living. It is worth noting that academic thinking sees personal capability as part of resilience but it is more than that – as well as individual capability, resilience depends on the resources available to individuals, the actions they take and the circumstances in which they are called upon to be resilient.
Mostly, the staff saw the residents as resilient: “People are resilient in the fact that they’re here” (Staff 5). They also noted that the residents may not realise how resilient they are. The staff recognised the varied and often difficult life experiences that had brought their residents to almshouse accommodation. Residents had seen and dealt with a lot in their lives but “[were still] just getting on with it, doing whatever they need to do and making the most of what they have” (Staff 8). Both staff and residents felt that people get more resilient as they get older – they have dealt with more and they develop more strategies for coping with problems: “Resilience is something old people do” (Resident 25). This aligns with academic definitions of resilience as learning from experience and becoming stronger through experience. Many residents showed a pragmatic and philosophical approach:
“You know there’s nothing you can do about it, you’ve just got to cope with it the best you can and that’s it. It’s life, isn’t it?”
(Resident 44)
Despite mentions of many challenges in life across the residents we spoke to, which included bereavement, chaotic lifestyles, ill-health, addiction, childhood trauma, geographic isolation and local crime, many residents saw themselves as resilient: as one succinctly put it: “I’m still here” (Resident 16).
In terms of what helped them to be resilient, residents mentioned the importance of physical and mental well-being, being mobile and having one’s faculties, as well as developing strategies to cope with difficulties. Accepting change, including the changes which come with ageing, going with it and not worrying, were strategies for some. Some pointed out the risks of nostalgia and noted the importance of living for today and not worrying about the future:
“Just deal with today, and tomorrow will be dealt with tomorrow”
(Resident 4)
One spoke of how their faith helped them to keep going. Another resident emphasised the need to take care of oneself first, in order to have energy to support others. For this individual, their artistic activity provided them with that self-care and source of energy.
Some talked about self-sufficiency but others tempered that with also being part of social relationships and a supportive community. In practical terms, keeping busy and having plenty to do was seen as helpful. For some, going for walks and gardening were ways they dealt with changes. For others, having someone to talk to was valuable. When it came to dealing with moving home, at a practical level, having physical help with organising and moving made it easier. Some recognised that the move itself was the challenge and that they would deal well in their new home once the physical move was over with. Others were distressed at the thought of a move but afterward, settled in very quickly and were very happy in the new accommodation.
Residents’ views on whether the almshouse community was resilient were mixed. In responding, a few residents considered the charity itself, noting that their charity’s plans for future investment indicated resilience. Many felt that the relationships amongst community members built resilience: “We all look out for each other” (Resident 32).
They felt that residents could deal with change when the change is for their benefit, even if there is grumbling and discontent. These views suggest that proposed changes may well trigger complaint but that most people will work through their resistance and come to acceptance. Factors that helped residents to accept change included having change introduced gradually and having someone to talk to about the change: resident representatives were mentioned in this context. However, a number of residents noted that some people get set in their ways and find change difficult. In particular, people who have lived in the same place for a long time may become less resilient alongside increased dependence on the charity.
These are valuable insights, suggesting that resilience in a setting such as an almshouse charity may reduce over time and, of course, the effects of age may also grow as time passes, with physical and mental health impacting on the ability to deal with change. This suggests an additional reason for mixed age groups, particularly for new developments where residents will move to the almshouse accommodation at the same time.
