The holidays have passed and the new year is about here. How will you live in 2020? A new decade and a new time to start making changes to live and age gracefully. How are you going to be accountable and make your new beginning a great one?

Top 6 Ways to Make 2020 a great and healthy year! 

1. Exercise More. The new year is always the time you say, “I am going to eat healthier and exercise more.” How many people declare this New Year’s Resolution and they don’t succeed? Too many to count. As you age, fitness is more important than ever, especially for your legs. You need leg strength to help you navigate getting around and to help you with balance. Try Walking! It is the best way to stay active and keep your legs stronger to help you be healthy as you are aging gracefully. 
2. Engage and Protect your Brain. How do you do that? There are many games and activities to keep your brain healthy and functioning so you can enjoy the next phase of life. However, examine all of your medications. Many medications can affect your brain healthy and balance. Therefore, it is important to read the side effects of your medications. Stay on top of your brain health. Cognitive aging is a natural process and not Alzheimer’s disease. Be aware of what you can do to maintain brain health. 
3. Update Medical Record and Review Medications. From the moment you are born you begin aging. As you cross the threshold of an older adult, you need to make sure that your medical records are current and share them with your adult children, legal advisor or trusted adult. It is important to review your medications and how they affect the body often. You need to know, especially if you are taking more than one medication, how the medications interact together in your body. Take time to examine medications and make sure your medical records are current and shared with family. You never know when an emergency could occur. Always have a list of your current medications in your wallet or billfold just in case something happens.
4. Address Medical and Financial Records for the Future. As mentioned above, you need to keep medical records current. Keep a file whether paper or electronic or both, it is vital to keep your medical and financial records up to date. Keeping records current and easily accessible allows you to quickly get to that information to have proper care or finances managed correctly in an emergency event. Don’t assume your loved ones will get everything in order if you have an emergency or life threatening situation. You should map out your medical and financial desires before something happens to make sure you get what you want for you. As you age, keep things in order. You won’t regret it.
5. Stay Social. Research shows the importance of socializing. Engaging with others nourishes the body and soul. You can stay social by getting involved in your church, community events, or volunteer. There are many ways to get immersed in activities that keep you social and engage your mind and body. However, remember there is a balance. Try to enjoy your time with others and a little time by yourself doing what you enjoy. 2020 is here; so, make new friends and connect with some old ones too. 
6. What is on the Bucket List? Create One and Do It. Start the new decade doing things you always wanted to do. What is on your “Some Day” list? Make a list of things you really want to do, such as visit an old friend, take that trip, or reconcile with a family member.  There is no time like the present to start the year doing things that bring you joy. You will not only check that one “Some Day” item off your list, but you will boost your overall health too.

Welcome 2020 with positive attitude and new beginnings. Need help with the next phase of life? Let Ann at Senior Living Options help guide you to the next phase of living with grace.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.