With the start of 2024, now is the perfect time to pick up a resolution and reach goals. Finding New Year’s resolutions and sticking to them can seem like a daunting task, especially if limited mobility is a factor. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of great resolutions for your senior loved one to help make the most of 2024!

Eat Healthier

While eating healthier seems to be on everyone’s resolution list, it’s for a good reason! Eating a healthier diet is proven to improve overall health. While eating healthier can seem like a simple task, sometimes it can be difficult to decipher exactly what needs to be changed. Sunrise Senior Living has some great eating tips specific to seniors.

Be More Active

Being more active is a task that can seem impossible to someone with limited mobility. However, minor additions of physical activity in a senior’s day-to-day routine can drastically change their health. A quick walk outside or a swim in the pool can also do more than just help you physically. According to American Senior Communities increasing your physical activity, even slightly, can drastically improve your mental health and lower your chances of dementia by nearly 35%. Altura Learning has a great list of easy and fun activities to try!

Keep Your Brain Busy

In addition to dietary changes and increased physical activity to benefit your physical health, mental health is so important. Especially with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia common among elders, it can help to keep the brain active. FamilyDoctor.org shows that doing so can decrease the chances of developing dementia and they also have some great ideas on how to keep the brain active!

Embrace Technology

This year consider introducing new technology to your senior loved one. A phone or a tablet can not only offer an activity for the brain and access to information and entertainment, but it can also keep seniors in touch with loved ones, an important factor for improving mental health.

Check Out Volunteer Activities

Volunteering is the perfect opportunity to get seniors involved in the community, increase their physical activity and socialization, and gives them a truly fulfilling task. There are dozens of volunteer activities that are perfect for seniors, check out a few here.

Audit Your Medications

Seniors often have to keep track of many different medications daily. The doses and directions with each medication can sometimes get confusing. Now is the time to sit down and make sure all medications are in order. Talking to a doctor and going over all medications with them can be an easy way to ensure everything is in order.

Break Bad habits

Some resolutions revolve around something new, a new activity to get active, a new diet to stick to. Perhaps one of the best resolutions to stick to is a resolution to give something up. Consider breaking an old habit in 2024. Homecare Assistance has a comprehensive list of some common bad habits seniors have that they should consider breaking. The start of 2024 is the perfect time to break those old habits.

Get Organized

Getting organized, although common, is a great resolution to have. For seniors it’s especially important to organize their things and their documents. Are those wills and trusts all worked out? Having organized documentation can help relieve the stress of loved ones and create a more secure future.

The start of 2024 is the perfect time to break those bad habits or pick up those New Year’s resolutions that will help make it the best year yet!

If you’re concerned that your loved one may need additional care, Loretto can help! We offer caregiver support, as well as long-term care. Loretto is proud to offer 19 specialized programs and facilities with over 2,500 dedicated caregivers, providing a system of care that addresses the unique needs of every individual. Contact us today to learn more!

Resources

https://www.asccare.com/importance-exercise-seniors/
https://familydoctor.org/brain-training-for-seniors/
https://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/4-volunteer-opportunities-senior-citizens/
https://homecareassistancearkansas.com/unhealthy-habits-seniors-should-quit/