Every new year is a gift. As the year rolls over to give way to a new set of 365 days, it provides a wonderful opportunity for self-reflection. This allows us to look ahead with a game plan for a better year, to change habits that don’t serve us, as well as develop new ones to grow us.

In this article, we’ve gathered 7 practical resolutions that focus not on outcomes, but attitudes. These are specifically written for elderly people, our senior parents, in order to inspire them for the year ahead.

7 Resolutions for Elderly People

1. Get up-to-date on your checkups and vaccinations. It’s easy to put these things off especially when you’re not feeling any discomfort or pain. However, whether or not you’re feeling unwell, it’s important to always get checked regularly. Make sure that your vaccines are also updated to avoid catching diseases that your body may not be as resilient in fighting and recovering from.
2. Organize the things that matter. Whether it’s your finances, documents, your pantry, or your belongings, take time to organize. Take stock of the things that you should be prioritizing or are dear to you. Make it a point to declutter, update, and organize them. Not only will this be handy, you will go into the new year with less baggage and more peace of mind.
3. Try something new. Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you should limit or confine yourself. This year, resolve to trying out new things as well as going out of your comfort zone.
4. Understand your risks. As the years pass, your health risks increase too. Apart from this, accident risks may also be growing. Take a look at your place and check for potential areas where you might fall, slip, or injure yourself. Your medication or condition may also make your reflexes slow, or cause you dizziness. Talk to your physician about your risks for falling, which is one of the top causes of accidents and injury in elderly people.
5. Embrace technology. Technology and the many changes that go with it can be overwhelming and daunting. However, used right, it can actually make your life better and easier. This year, you can resolve to try new technology, whether it’s to better connect with family and friends, monitor your health, remind you of your medication, or really just pass the time.
6. Learn to forgive. Grudges, fights, and old scores can weigh you down. And not just in the new year. Forgive those who have wronged you, but don’t forget to make sure you still keep your boundaries. Best of all, learn to also forgive yourself.
7. Revisit your old resolutions and see how far you’ve gone. The new year is not just about looking forward, but also about looking back. Take stock of your old resolution and see which you’ve accomplished and how you’ve grown from there. This will also allow you to be grateful and come into the new year with a growth mindset.