Don’t you love turning to the first page of a brand new book? There’s a feeling of expectation at the opening of a story, and with the start of the new year, that same degree of hopeful excitement settles upon us. And even better, we have some measure of control over how the story will play out, as we resolve to make adjustments to enhance our health, our relationships with others, and the paths our lives will take.
For older individuals, making resolutions is an excellent way to impart a sense of achievement, meaning and purpose in life. A great bonding exercise for family members is to sit down together and create a documentation of each person’s wishes for the new year, and how to set about acquiring those. Some recommendations to jumpstart the conversation, particularly for seniors, include:
- Strive for Five. The USDA recommends five portions of fruits and vegetables every day. Best bets include those that are dark green or brightly colored, like spinach, kale, collard greens, carrots, bell peppers, oranges, and melons.
- Start Moving! Each one of us can experience benefits from some additional physical activity. Start with a physician consultation to get approval on an exercise regimen, and then put a plan in place to implement. Great exercises for many seniors include yoga, water aerobics, and walking. Working with a family member, or a professional in-home caregiver, can ensure the motivation and encouragement to stick with it.
- Make an Appointment – or Two. Take out the calendar, pick up the phone, and schedule all those screenings and tests you’ve been postponing: vision and hearing checkups, colon and breast cancer screenings, osteoporosis tests, etc.
- Boost Your Brain. Decide that this will be the year to learn something totally new or to try something you’ve always wanted to try. For older adults, there are a wide range of senior-specific courses at community colleges that incorporate the added benefit of making new friends. Other good opportunities include online language courses, memory puzzles and games, or educational programs at the local library.
- Kick a Bad Habit. Whether it’s stopping smoking, curbing alcohol consumption, or a different unhealthy habit, the new year is the perfect occasion to choose to overcome it. Setting small goals and celebrating along the way is a great way to ensure success.
At Live Free Home Health Care, we’re on hand to help seniors set and reach new goals this year with our professional New Hampshire home care services. Just a few of the many ways we can make a difference:
- Offer safe, escorted transportation for older individuals to doctors’ appointments, exercise programs, classes, social outings, and more
- Fix healthy, delicious meals that adhere any prescribed dietary plans
- Run errands such as grocery shopping to keep the refrigerator and pantry well stocked
- Provide medication reminders to confirm prescriptions are taken exactly as recommended
- And much more
Resolve to help your senior loved ones enjoy a greater quality of life! Contact us to learn more about our New Hampshire home care services at 603-217-0149.