Making New Year’s resolutions is something that’s as traditional as decking the halls, singing holiday carols and toasting on the stroke of midnight. We’re guessing that, over the years, you’ve made your share of New Year’s resolutions – and those resolutions have shifted over the years as we’ve matured, had life experiences and learned more about ourselves. So if you’re settling into your senior years, is it time to kick back and leave resolutions to the young ‘uns? Not necessarily, says Barbara Harrison, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, a memory care assisted living community in Westwood, MA.
“Making resolutions can actually be quite beneficial for seniors,” she says. “No matter how old or young we get, resolutions provide us with purpose and give us goals to work towards. There are always steps we can take to improve our health, strengthen our relationships or make our world a better place – and ringing in 2020 is a great time to start putting those new practices into place.”
So how can making New Year’s resolutions benefit you or an aging senior in your life? Here are eight ways:
1. Resolutions Provide Purpose (and Improve Health)
We all want our lives to have purpose – if nothing else, it gives us a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Besides being motivating, purpose provides us with health benefits, too. Studies show that people with purposeful lives are two to four times less likely to develop dementias like Alzheimer’s disease. Having purpose also causes you to be more disciplined and organized – both traits that reduce your risk of dementia. Older adults who live with purpose are generally more physically mobile and have better strength – both signs of aging well.
2. Resolutions Make Us Happier
Just the act of writing down our hopes, desires and thoughts can greatly improve our mood and our outlook on life. Not only does this allow seniors to ring in the new year with a positive, upbeat attitude, but it also sets the foundation for a healthier year ahead. A positive outlook leads to better mental health, which lessens your risk of anxiety, depression and, yes, even developing dementia. Various studies have also shown that people who are happy and positive have a lower risk of heart disease.
3. Resolutions Strengthen Relationships
Like meals, memories and life in general, resolutions are best when they’re shared with those we love. Making mutual New Year’s resolutions, whether with your spouse, children, friends or extended family, can help seniors strengthen the bonds that bind us together and make 2020 one of the best years to come. For example, a grandparent and a grandchild could make a mutual resolution to write a letter to each other once a month. But resolutions don’t have to be specifically relationship-focused in order to strengthen bonds. Senior spouses can resolve to exercise or do another hobby together, which provides relationship opportunities by default.
4. Resolutions Increase Your Safety
Making improvements to your life can directly and indirectly make you safer. Think about it. If your goal is to be more physically active, you’re also committing to lessening your risk of falling and improving your immune system. You can also go a step further and actually make a resolution to making your home a safer place so you’re able to age well. Placing grab rails in the bathroom and replacing throw rugs with non-slip mats will help avoid accidents, and security or emergency systems can assist in a senior getting the help they need when time is of the essence.
5. Resolutions Help You Avoid Illness
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And many resolutions can be preventative for a variety of potential issues. If your resolution is to get healthier in 2020, you can start by scheduling doctor’s visits so you can make sure you’re setting yourself up for success. Or if you resolve to get more physical exercise and eat better, you’ll be helping avoid malnutrition, improving everything from muscle tone to balance to your immune system.
6. Resolutions Give You and Your Family Peace of Mind
Many of us don’t like to think about aging and the realities of what that can mean for us and our families. However, there’s no avoiding it – and, in fact, planning for this eventuality before it’s necessary can mean relief and peace of mind for your loved ones. Resolving to get your affairs in order, from creating wills and trusts, organizing important paperwork in one place and letting your loved ones know your wishes are a great gift to give yourself and your family in 2020.
7. Resolutions Help You Make New Friends
As we age, it’s easier to become more socially isolated, especially in the winter months. Isolation can lead to depression (which is a common affliction among senior adults), poor health, muddled thinking and overall poor quality of life. Making resolutions to try new things, like trying a new hobby or joining a new club, can connect you with acquaintances new and old. You’ll meet new folks with similar interests, help you increase your social circle, connect you with different generations and provide plenty of social interaction.
8. Resolutions Can Make Life Easier
One great resolution seniors can make in 2020 is to make life a little easier … by moving into a senior living community. Not only does this help meet all of the resolutions we’ve listed above, but it also sets the stage for a very enjoyable and exciting New Year for you. For seniors living with dementia, moving into a memory care assisted living community likeBridges® by EPOCH at Westwood provides 24/7 support, assistance and fulfillment, along with peace of mind for family members. It’s a wonderful way to ensure 2020 is a wonderful year for everyone in your family.
Personalized Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Personalized Services
Our care and services are designed to recognize and adapt to the individual challenges and personalities of our residents, while making sure they are comfortable and safe. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for every resident through all stages of memory loss.
Our Amenities
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood features a distinct design, providing residents with everything they need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Our community is built specifically to benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss … so we use soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations to create a soothing, safe environment where residents feel at ease.
Contact us today to learn more.