Assisted Living New Year's Resolutions

As the year comes to an end, it is a time to reflect on the all of the successes and memories of the past year. Bringing in another new year allows us the opportunity to make New Year’s resolutions for the upcoming year. It is especially important for seniors to continue to make resolutions each year. Making resolutions can create something to look forward to and a sense of confidence and excitement.

Resolutions often reflect a desire to make ourselves better, happier and healthier. Seniors can especially benefit from this if resolutions are made to prevent illness and injury. Making resolutions such as participating in a new physical activity, developing a new exercise routine, focusing on cognitive health activities, eating more fresh foods, and scheduling regular check ups are all good resolutions for seniors.

Making New Year’s resolutions together is also a great idea for seniors. Creating resolutions with someone else establishes one more common bond within important relationships and allows you to get to know each other better. By helping one another, you each gain a greater sense of purpose, which can be very meaningful in the life of a loved one who is growing older.

Ideas of resolutions seniors can make include planning more day trips, reading new books, sharing recipes, starting a journal, making new friends, expanding knowledge by learning a new language or becoming an expert on a specific topic, challenging your brain by doing a puzzle, game or brain teaser, and most importantly committing to laughter.

December 31^st is not just a day to make resolutions but it is also “Make Up Your Mind Day”. This is a day about making up your mind and sticking to it. Stop putting off decisions you need to make, finalize your thoughts and take a stand. Making up your mind makes life easier. Start making up your mind by deciding what your New Year’s resolutions will be.

Making a few decisions to engage in healthy, productive, and new resolutions for the New Year will create happy healthy relationships for seniors and loved ones. Take a few minutes to think of realistic resolutions that you want to keep for 2013.

Need Help?

If moving yourself or a loved one into an assisted or independent living community is a goal for the New Year contact United Methodist Homes at www.umh.org and learn how we can help!