About half of Americans make some type of New Year’s resolutions, although, studies show only about 8% are successful in achieving them. Why? Often because they set a goal that is simply too high. Here are some realistic ways seniors can improve their lives and wellbeing year-round and are also easily attainable.
Updating your legal documents is a good resolution to start with and also very important. The purpose for many legal documents is that you don’t need them until you actually need them. This is especially true of wills, advance directives and power of attorney documents. If you don’t have any of these already in place, an attorney can help you get started in the right direction. There are also simple templates you can access on the internet or from our website like powerofattorney.com, you can also purchase low-cost computer software.
Destress and Declutter. Cleaning out your attic, garage, and/or closets may sound like an overwhelming task but it doesn’t have to be. Consider it a labor of love. Anyone who has every had to clean out a loved one’s house after an illness or death is an emotional, difficult and stressful job. Set a day or weekend to have your adult children or loved ones come to help. Cleaning out, finding cherished family keepsakes and sharing special moments is always better spent together and a lot less stressful than having to do it alone.
Start eating healthier and develop an exercise routine that fits you. You can increase your odds of living to 100 simply by improving your diet and exercise. A sensible diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and super foods (dark chocolate, berries, kale, nuts/legumes, salmon, olive oil, red wine) can help prevent or slow the progression of many of the diseases and conditions that are so common among seniors, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, arthritis, and certain cancers.
Learning how to use technology is an excellent way to stay connected with friends and family and also has many mental health benefits for seniors. The internet and social media make it simpler than ever to keep in touch, even for the elderly who might otherwise become socially isolated. Ask a friend or family member, better yet a grandchild to give you a lesson or two on social media. Seniors are one of the fastest growing audiences on Facebook.
Lastly, if you are retirement age or are approaching it, you have probably already began thinking about where you might like to live as you grow older. This is a good time to starting exploring senior living options, retirement communities, independent living communities and continuing care retirement communities.
Cherry Creek Village is a beautiful senior independent living community that offers residents an all- inclusive lifestyle. There are six spacious floor plans to choose from to suit the needs of an individual or a family, all at a very affordable price. All-inclusive means that there are no more worries about paying various bills that come with renting or owning a home. You pay one monthly rental fee and enjoy all of the services and amenities that Cherry Creek Village has to offer. Call 256.691.0866 to schedule a no-obligation tour and visit us on the web at www.cherrycreekvillage.com to learn more about our great community.
Beth Freeman, Marketing/Asst. Executive Director
