You’re never too old to make a positive change in your life. In fact, making New Year’s resolutions should be on every senior’s 2020 to-do list, says Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH.
“Setting New Year’s resolutions has a lot of value for seniors, and can impact their overall health in many positive ways,” she says. “Setting goals provides us with purpose and a sense of accomplishment. Studies show that people who have purpose in their lives are less likely to develop cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease – not to mention simply having an overall better quality of life. There’s no age limit on learning or improving oneself, and the new year is an optimum time for seniors to make changes to improve their health … starting now.”
Here are some reasons why New Year’s resolutions are so important for seniors, along with some easy ways for you to start reaping those benefits for 2020 and beyond.
It helps you get the nutrients you need.
One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions over the years is eating right and losing weight. For seniors, eating healthy is one of the best ways to age well, since your body requires more nutrients but fewer calories. Many seniors also have health issues that need to be regulated in part through diet, so making sure you eat balanced meals becomes increasingly important. Eating well provides your body with the fuel it needs to maintain your standard of living and help you feel better overall.
- Strive to eat a well-balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats and low-fat dairy.
- Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruit each day.
- Use spices to add flavor to your meals instead of relying on salt or fat.
- Choose lean-meat options over fatty meats whenever possible.
- Make sure you get plenty of calcium and Vitamin D through yogurt, cheese or milk.
- Ask your physician about what dietary choices would work best for you and your health.
It improves your physical health.
Another popular New Year’s resolution is to “exercise more.” Getting enough physical activity is critical to help seniors maintain their weight, keep their joints limber and make sure their body is working at peak performance. That doesn’t mean you necessarily need to run a marathon by the end of 2020 – it simply means getting enough activity (and enough variety), which will help you stave off sickness, improve your immune system, keep your systems working properly and give you the energy you need to continue to do the things you love. For seniors, physical activity includes everything from leisure activities (like gardening or hiking) to planned exercise. Find activities you love to get more motion in your body.
- Start with small improvements: Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park at the back of the parking lot so you have further to walk in and out of stores.
- It’s recommended that seniors do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of high aerobic activity. Build up to this if you aren’t in peak physical performance – start with 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there to build up your activity levels.
- Be sure to get weight and resistance training in your daily routine to build your muscles, improve balance and maintain a good bone density.
It improves your mental health, too.
Our brains need exercise, too – just as much as our bodies. Studies show that seniors who remain mentally active and stretch their intellectual capabilities are less likely to develop dementia and are able to maintain abilities or stave off decline if they already have cognitive issues. Continuing to learn and exercise your brain cells also improves mood, lessens your risk of depression and keeps you more active overall – in other words, it’s good for the whole body. Making resolutions to travel more, learn a new skill or simply read more books can benefit your brain in so many ways.
- Pick up a new hobby that you’ve always wanted to try, like woodworking or baking.
- Find ways to challenge yourself in hobbies and activities you already enjoy – for example, if you enjoy crossword puzzles, shake it up a bit with jigsaw puzzles or Sudoku.
- Spend time meditating or practicing gratitude each and every day – although it’s not necessarily “exercise” per se, these activities allow you to refocus, help improve attention and memory and reduce stress levels.
It keeps you socially active.
Many times, our New Year’s resolutions help us become more socially active by default. Think of going to exercise class, joining a club or discussing a book with a friend. Activities are social by nature, and seniors often find that making New Year’s resolutions keeps them more socially active and engaged. That’s great news, because remaining social in your senior years helps promote brain health, improve mood and boosts well-being.
- Reach out to friends and acquaintances and actively make plans to meet up. Schedule recurring lunch dates or coffee, and you’ll have something to look forward to on a regular basis.
- Find activities and opportunities that get you out of the house and around others who share your interests. It’s a lot easier to make friends when you all are interested in the same thing.
- You don’t have to get out of the house in order to be socially active. Text a friend, schedule a phone call or join an online chat group to get a boost of social connection without having to get up off your couch.
“The best New Year’s resolutions are ones that get you excited about the future,” says Michelle. “By choosing goals that you want to accomplish, you’re more likely to achieve them – and gain all the extra benefits that come with them. Best of all, you don’t have to wait until the new year to make resolutions. Every day is a great day to improve your well-being and make this chapter of life your best yet.”
A Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides expert memory care within an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, independence and fulfilment in daily life.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our programs, care and services are all designed to celebrate our residents’ lives and support each resident’s individual strengths and abilities. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, our memory care professionals work to maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents every day.
Stunning, Purpose-Built Design
Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It’s a community focused on enriching the lives of our residents and helping their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features, including soft paint colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations, provide a soothing and easy-to-navigate environment.
Contact us today to learn more.