It’s that time of year again – festivities wind down, friends disperse and decorations get packed away. For many, this post-holiday period can be a time for well-needed rest. For others, it can feel lonely after all the extra company leaves. For some, it might be a time of thinking “What’s next?”
This is a great time to make plans for the year ahead. While you might think new year’s resolutions for seniors aren’t that important, setting goals and mapping out the steps to reach them is a fantastic way to foster independence, stay motivated and feel positive about the future.
If you or an older person in your life needs some cheering up during these cold, dark in-between days, here is some advice from FirstLight Home Care on how to set realistic goals and the best ways to achieve them.
How to Set Goals for Older People
No one is too old for resolutions! In fact, the golden years are the perfect time to dust off the bucket list-not just because seniors tend to have more free time, but because having goals helps take ownership of that time and gives them something to look forward to. If you’ve been meaning to learn a new skill, improve your health, travel a bit or finally sort through that pile of old photographs in the back cupboard, now is the time to get started.
Like any goal or ambition, new year’s resolutions for seniors should follow the SMART principle – they should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timed. For example, if your goal is to join a sponsored walk, you might start by attempting 20 minutes of walking three times a week. For someone with more limited mobility, 10 minutes of stretches each day with an end goal of getting in and out of a chair independently might be more appropriate. Either way, this is much better than setting a vague target like “get more fit” and is much easier to maintain.
Activities To Do With Elderly Parents
When you have a parent or loved one with goals for the year, you can help them by providing plenty of encouragement or by joining them in achieving your own goals. Things you can do together that also incorporate new year’s resolutions could include:
· Decluttering the house
· Taking a walk in a new town or local park
· Batch cooking and freezing food to eat more healthily
· Completing crosswords, puzzles, and card games to keep the mind active
· Learning a new skill, such as handcrafting, woodworking, computing or a new language
· Gardening
· Visiting old friends and relatives you haven’t seen for a while
· Volunteering at community events
· Watching a funny movie or comedy show (as humor and aging well are closely linked)
There are no right or wrong resolutions – just remember to keep them realistic so you’re less likely to give up.
Can a Senior Care Provider Help With Goal Setting?
If you’re unable to be there for an elderly loved one as much as you’d like, you may worry about whether or not they’re able to do all the things they want to do. That’s when having a professional caregiver can make a huge difference, as their time can be completely dedicated to helping your loved one achieve their goals in a safe and consistent way.
For example, a companion care provider can join your loved one for chats or games, or they can simply do jobs around the house, so your loved one has more time for their personal projects. Or a personal care provider could help with things like prescribed exercise routines to help improve mobility and fitness. If you know of an older person who is alone or isolated – also known as elder orphans – then having a regular visitor can make a huge difference to their mental health and wellbeing.
Live Your Best Life This Year with FirstLight
New year’s resolutions for seniors don’t need to be grand or complex – they just need to be personal and specific. Whether they’re bucket list goals that you finally have time for, or small habits to make daily life more comfortable, writing them down and breaking them into short and long-term steps will help you make more consistent progress while still keeping sight of the bigger picture.
If you feel a little extra support at home would help to make your goals more achievable, or you have a parent who might benefit from some extra company and encouragement, regular visits from a FirstLight home caregiver could make all the difference.
For more information on how a personalized care plan could help you or a loved one keep living life to the full, contact our friendly team today.