Many of today’s seniors are more driven than ever to live life to the fullest, taking an inspired approach to goal setting as they plan for the year to come. If you want to support your parents in their desire to maintain their independence and have a renewed sense of purpose, here are a few suggestions on how to point them in the right direction.

What’s ahead for your older loved ones? Maybe the best yet!

Think of life as a highway of experiences. Your parents have likely traveled this road for years, building their careers, raising children, tending a home, supporting the family and each other, and taking care of millions of tiny but important details.

Now it’s time for them to look ahead with a fresh approach to goal setting—so they can take charge of where they are going and what they want to accomplish. You want to help them move in the right direction so they can lead the lives they want, with every opportunity to maintain their independence, enhance their quality of life, and embrace wellness on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.

Helping your parents set goals and plan for the year ahead

Your parents are not new to setting goals. But they might be unsure of how to set new goals now that they have an “open road” ahead of them. Here’s a way you can help encourage them to dream as big as they like and then help them break down their goals into manageable steps.

For example, here are some big goals, and then simple ways they can begin to accomplish them:

• Be fit. Take a short walk three times a week.
• Get healthy. Skip a rich dessert and try some fruit instead.
• Have more freedom. Hire a housekeeper and have groceries delivered.
• Be more creative. Enroll in an art class or do some gardening.
• Have more fun! Try a new restaurant each month or take a class in ballroom dancing.
• Relax. Try simple meditation twice a day.
• Have a sense of purpose. Volunteer with a local charity.
• Make new friends. Invite a new neighbor over for coffee.

Related: Friends Are Key to Happiness

Setting goals that help them go in the right direction—it starts with motivation.

Motivation is very important when it comes to goal setting and making a plan for the year. Motivation helps a person maintain healthy habits, relate to others, and overall, enjoy a higher quality of life. However, motivation can be difficult for some seniors, due to the changes that aging can bring, such as physical limitations, memory issues, or a feeling of being out of the mainstream which can lead to anxiety or depression.

The good news: there are ways to help seniors work around these issues so they can get motivated and stay motivated as they tackle goal setting and making a plan for the year.

Here are some tips for helping your parents with motivation:

• Help them set a routine. It can be as simple as morning stretches or reading a “thought for the day” from an inspirational book. Just a few simple activities that can boost their mood and give them a new reason to rise and shine.
• Set a few small goals with them. Find out what they really enjoy doing or what they’ve always wanted to try. Then break it down into something manageable. For example, if they’ve always wanted to hike a woodland trail, start with a simple walk around the block. If possible, join them occasionally to reinforce the habit.
• Get them to work their brain. Memory games and puzzles help keep the mind alert. Take the time to ask them about their past, such as what they did for fun as a child or why they chose their career path. Not only will this jog their memory, but it also will help with reinforcing their self-identity, something that can start to fade as the years go by. Feeling secure in who they are can go a long way towards being motivated to achieve new goals.
• Spend social time with them. Engaging with others and participating in a social event is a great way to give a loved one a lift and help them feel they belong. Seeing your interest in their lives can reinforce their motivation to succeed.

Related: The Role of Social Interaction in Senior Health & Aging Gracefully

• Suggest they invite peers to join them in an activity. If Mom has always wanted to learn ballroom dancing, ask her to invite a few friends to join her in a class. She might be more motivated to go—and she might have twice the fun!
• Keep them moving. Staying active creates energy, which increases motivation. Walking, swimming, yoga are just a few possibilities. Check area senior centers for classes.
• Pay attention to their sleeping habits. Staying up too late or sleeping at odd hours can lead to a general fatigue that can make it difficult to stay motivated. Encourage them to establish a sleep regimen and follow it as much as possible.
• Have them “check in” using their cellphone when they are about to go to a class or try a new adventure. They’ll appreciate your interest, and it will help reinforce their commitment to their new goal.
• Help them feel useful. Everyone wants to feel needed. It’s key to healthy aging. Ask your parents for their advice when you are making big decisions. Let them help you with family events. Your trust can go a long way towards increasing their motivation to be involved and begin their own goal setting.

At Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®, we value our community members as the unique, vibrant individuals they are.

We are here to help them live a life of comfort, joy and peace. If you would like to know more about how we can help your parents live their best life, surrounded by a supportive community, we hope you will come to see us.

Download our free brochure or contact us to learn more and to schedule your personalized tour.