How Caregivers Can Support New Year’s Resolutions
Why New Year’s Resolutions Matter for Clients Receiving Care
While you don’t have to wait until new year to make positive changes in your life, resolutions can be beneficial for anyone who lacks focus and needs a ‘push’ to get things going. Because many people talk about making change in the new year, it can help people find additional support to stick to their goals, especially if they have a caregiver at home.
Resolutions can empower people who are living with care, especially if they have struggled with the idea that they’re losing their independence, as it can make them feel that they are retaining control over their own life. Our amazing carers can support you to live as independently as possible at home, on either a visiting or live-in care basis.
Common Goals Older Adults and Care Recipients Set at the Start of the Year
Some people wonder if it’s worth making resolutions at an older age, but why not? You’re never too old to make positive change, especially if it improves your wellbeing. According to Columbia University, “There is no wrong age to make a New Year’s resolution. In fact, looking forward to the future is a hallmark of good mental health.”
Most people focus on diet and nutrition-based goals, such as losing weight, cutting down on sugar, or reducing alcohol intake. It’s also a good idea to try and increase activity levels, within your own abilities, of course. Even just getting out of a chair more often or doing some chair-based exercises will help contribute to improved physical and emotional wellbeing.
Setting Realistic and Achievable Resolutions with Caregiver Support
Having a caregiver coming to your home can encourage you in your goals, while ensuring you remain living as independently as possible. It can be difficult to maintain feelings of purpose as a person ages, especially if they’ve retired, their children are far away, and they’re struggling to access community activities. Having a purpose again can be a very positive outcome of making new year’s resolutions, which can also prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation, according to Columbia University. “Promising to make an improvement is something you can look forward to for yourself…Having something to look forward to is vital for mental health at any age.”
Encouraging Healthy Daily Routines Without Adding Pressure
Your Helping Hands carer will be by your side to help you make the best of every day, not to force you into doing something their way. We complement your lifestyle, however you wish to spend your days. Your carer will be the supportive voice in your ear and the person by your side who will help you succeed.
Supporting Physical, Mental, and Emotional Wellbeing Goals
Caregivers aren’t just beside you to support you physically. While they can undertake physical tasks that you’ve found more of a struggle, such as preparing meals, or remembering to take medication, they can also be an enormous boost to your mental health too. Having someone coming to your home regularly, living in with you or driving you to places will mean you’re much less vulnerable to loneliness or social isolation, both of which can lead to depression and anxiety.
How Caregivers Can Help Maintain Motivation Over Time
You might have decided to join an accessible gym class or aqua fit at your local pool, or just to get outside and walk the dog a little further. Doing new things can be daunting though, and you may be reluctant to go alone. Having a caregiver by your side means that you’ll be encouraged on the days that you’re flagging plus someone to celebrate with when you achieve that final goal!
Adapting Resolutions as Needs and Abilities Change
We’ll create you a bespoke package of support that will ensure you receive help designed around you. We’ll work with you, and your family where appropriate, to build your resolutions and help you achieve your goals. The beauty of having a bespoke care package is that it can be adapted as your needs change, or as you achieve one goal and wish to move towards another.
Practical Ways Caregivers Can Turn Small Goals into Lasting Habits
Age UK says that “29% of us plan to make New Year’s resolutions” this year, however, is it worth it? It can be, but only if you set realistic goals.
“If our resolutions are too vague, it might feel difficult to put them into practice,” says psychotherapist Georgina Sturmer. If they are unrealistic, we might struggle to know where to start.”
Setting unrealistic goals could also actually do more harm than good. For instance, if you decide that you’re going to lose a set amount of weight, or you won’t touch alcohol all year and you fail to reach those goals, it could have a negative impact on your emotional wellbeing.
Expert Carers at Helping Hands
We were established in 1989; that means we’ve spent the last 36 years supporting people across England and Wales who wish to live well in the home they love. We understand family, as we have family values at our core. We grew from a family founded company into the established name we are today, but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost sight of what our values mean to us.
Everyone who works for Helping Hands keeps kindness at heart and compassionate care delivery as their priority. And because our care is endorsed and regulated by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate Wales, you’ll always be in the very best hands. It’s no wonder we’re the most trusted home care providers in the UK.