It’s the start of the new year, which also means the start of putting New Year’s resolutions into play. We always start with good intentions, but for many of us, the ideal often dwindles away throughout the year due to schedules, old habits and a variety of other reasons. That isn’t to say that making New Year’s resolutions is a futile gesture, says Chrissy Ross, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee. In fact, resolutions are an excellent way for seniors – even those with dementia – to live fulfilled, happy and healthy lives.
“There are always opportunities to improve ourselves and our situations, and that is exactly what New Year’s resolutions are for,” she says. “There are things you can do today – this very minute, in fact – that can help improve health, encourage activity and provide an overall sense of well-being.”
For seniors with dementia, much of the responsibility for making sure the resolutions “stick” falls on the shoulders of the caregiver. But with time, repetition and a dedication to improvement, she says, both caregivers and their loved ones with dementia can make 2020 a year of improvement and happiness. Here are some tips to help accomplish that.
Tip #1: Go small.
This is a technique that’s touted all throughout self-help books, the Internet and everywhere you get support for making resolutions that stick. That’s because (as you probably have experienced at least once in your life) making big, sweeping changes is overwhelming and counterintuitive. Setting smaller, more-easily-achievable goals that allow you to track your progress will give you a boost when that goal is reached – making it easier to knock the next goal off your list.
For caregivers, one of the resolutions you may have for your loved one is to “eat healthy.” In order to accomplish that, break down the goal into smaller tasks. Perhaps the first step is to eat one more serving of vegetables at dinner. Once that has been adapted into a routine, the next step could be reducing the amount of sugar eaten every day. By setting goals that work for your loved one’s needs, abilities and temperament, caregivers can help transform resolutions from big changes to manageable ones that quickly become habit.
Tip #2: Make changes one at a time.
This sounds similar to tip #1, but it’s slightly different. Going small and breaking down resolutions into steps is a great way to start making changes, but just as important is only making a few changes at once (or best of all, one change at a time). This goes back to the “routine” aspect of dementia. Making too many changes all at once – no matter how small they are – can be overwhelming for your loved one. Routine is incredibly important to them, and making lots of changes to their routine can cause anxiety, fearfulness, anger and other unwanted behaviors. By changing one behavior or routine aspect at a time, you as a caregiver can more easily manage your loved one’s reactions. If he or she goes along with it, great! Keep at it until it becomes a habit. If making changes causes issues, back off and try again later. Remember, slow and steady wins the race … and makes resolutions stick better for both caregivers and those with dementia.
Tip #3: “Success” is a process, not a destination.
The biggest disservice any of us do to ourselves with regards to New Year’s resolutions is giving up. This can often happen after a slip-up, or two, or more – and then it just seems like too much work to “get back on the wagon.” Instead of viewing your resolutions as a hard and fast destination, think about it more like a journey that you and your loved one are taking. There will be days when you skip your afternoon walk or eat too many cookies after dinner. Don’t view these blips as a “failure,” and keep in mind Scarlett O’Hara’s famous phrase: “Tomorrow is another day.” Think of it more as continuous improvement, and you and your loved one will be more willing and receptive to making good changes in your lives.
Tip #4: Make it fun.
Where did this idea come from that making changes has to be hard, dull and unenjoyable? The whole point of making “resolutions” is to improve our lives – and one of the best and easiest ways to get everyone on board is to make those changes seem fun. Think about the things that your loved one enjoys doing, and use those passions and interests to help make resolutions into fun activities instead of chores. If one of your goals is for your loved one to get more exercise, put on some music and dance around the living room, or spend an afternoon gardening – which are all much more enjoyable than getting on a treadmill. Or, if you’re trying to eat a healthier diet, have your loved one help you try out new recipes so that he or she can be a part of the creation process.
Tip #5: Ask for help.
Talking to others can help manage stress, strengthen resilience and improve your chances for success. As a dementia caregiver, you already understand the importance of social interaction and being with those who understand what you’re going through. Reach out to professionals who can help you with tips and tricks for making your loved one’s resolutions stick. They can offer strategies, help you adjust goals to make them more attainable and provide you with different approaches for making positive changes.
“Making New Year’s resolutions doesn’t have to be daunting – in fact, they can be the start of something wonderful for you and your loved one with dementia,” says Chrissy. “At Bridges by EPOCH at Mashpee, we know how important it is to provide a lifestyle that’s safe, engaging, positive and comfortable for our residents, so we’re always making ‘resolutions’ to help promote their preferences, dignity and happiness. We’re dedicated to making a truly positive impact on each of our residents every day – whether it’s the new year or the last day of the year.”
Peace of Mind for Cape Cod Seniors and Their Families
Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community creates a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, respects individual preferences and makes a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Dedicated Memory Care
Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee offers compassionate dementia care and unique programs that are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident – throughout every stage of disease progression. Residents can age in place comfortably and with dignity, while families gain peace of mind.
Supportive, Engaging Services
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we offer a program of care and services that celebrates life and supports individual strengths. Our compassionate and engaging approach adapts to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment.
Contact us today to learn more.