Healthy Resolutions to Insure a Happy New Year's For Seniors

The New Year means new starts, and that typically involves making New Year's resolutions. While the old-faithful standbys still exist, adults over the age of 65 can greatly benefit from making healthy resolutions - especially those that help prevent illness and injury. Here are five New Year's resolutions that will keep you feeling young and vibrant.

Participate in Cognitive Health Activities

Mental health is an important aspect of health that we tend to overlook as we extol the benefits of staying physically fit. Keep your mind engaged and stimulated through a language class, book club or by playing brain games and trivia on the computer.

Exercise or start a new physical activity

Exercise doesn't have to be exhausting, and it certainly doesn't have to feel like work. Older adults are increasingly looking to classes such as yoga and tai chi to not only increase physical health, but to meet people and widen their social circles. Other activities like local walking clubs can be found at many senior organizations and community centers.

Eat More Fresh Foods

Processed foods are easy to throw together for a meal, but they come with a host of health issues and concerns, and frankly; they're not worth the hassle. Make a promise to eat more fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables and you'll see a noticeable difference in the way you look and feel - and it takes very little work on your end.

Make Your Home Safer

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Many of these falls are preventable, especially if home safety tips are implemented. Tips like moving cords out of walkways, having good lighting near beds and taping down edges of carpeting and rugs can help tremendously to decrease the number and severity of falls for seniors.

Schedule Regular Checkups

Unfortunately, with age comes increased risk of illness and other complications such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other medical conditions. Making sure that you schedule a regular annual checkup can help in early detection and prevention.

Not only will these New Year's resolutions improve your mental and physical healthy, they'll provide social opportunities and benefit your life in multiple ways. What are some of your goals and resolutions for the upcoming year?

Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Seniors published Dec 21, 2011 by NYC Senior Care

New Year's 2012 photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net Jannoon028

Pioneer Place Residents Share Memories of Christmas Past

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred,

and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit,

become a child again at Christmas-time. 

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Recently, a few of the residents at Pioneer Place shared their Christmas memories. We are privileged to post them here as part of our Christmas celebration and a reminder of how important our family is every day of the year but especially at Christmas.

I remember when I was a kid, we lived on a farm in Custer. We really didn't have much of a celebration for Christmas because my parents were very poor. We had hardly any presents and no Christmas tree. But at my Custer school, we had beautiful Christmas programs and I always had a part in them. I like that very much so now I really appreciate everything I have.
        Submitted by Lorraine


When I was about 9 or 10 years old during the Great Depression, I got a doll about 14 or 15 inches tall. The doll had "real" yellow hair, a dress, sox, and little slippers. Best of all, it had eyes that opened and shut and it cried when I rolled it over on its face! It was also very , very cold when Mom gave it to me. I asked why the doll was so cold and she said that Santa Claus had delivered it by airplane. I found out years later that she had stored our presents in the machine shed or granary so we kids wouldn't find them before Christmas! Recalling it now, I realize that Mom probably wanted that doll as much as I did because over the years she sewed clothes for it with scraps of fabric or good parts from worn out clothes. I still have the doll tucked away in a dresser drawer on a little blanket for her bed!
      Submitted by Catherine


When I was about seven years old, my father and mother gave me a doll for Christmas. It was about half as tall as I was and had blond hair, blue eyes, a blue dress with ribbon decoration, black shoes and white stockings. I loved playing with it and still had it when I was grown up. I was planning to give it to my sister's girls. After my mother died, my dad married a lady with eight children. The three youngest were much younger than I and often played with my doll. Somehow the legs of the doll got broken so I decided to give my nieces some movies instead. I was very glad that they liked the movies very much and watched them over and over again.
      Submitted by Audrey

Every year around Christmas time when I was a little girl, our front parlor was closed off and none of us dared to open that door. Through a crack in the door came the smell of oranges and apples and some evenings we cold hear a lot of activity on the other side of the door. On Christmas morning, we would each get a box. My parents had a large family, and in those depression years there was little money for frills, so all we could expect was some candy and nuts, a large orange, maybe a cap and warm mittens, a warm nightie, and one or two toys.

My sister was four years older than I, and on this Christmas I remember, she had a beautiful doll on the very top of her box. When I opened my box, I had all the practical gifts. I tried to hide my disappointment just knowing I could have been a better girl. When I got to the bottom of the box, I also had a pretty doll but this was an experience I've never forgotten.

          Submitted by Rita

One of my fondest memories of Christmas is when I was a young girl living on a farm. One year I got a brand new coat for Christmas. That was really special because I was used to getting mostly hand-me-downs. We always got new pajamas and slippers which we got to wear Christmas night. What I remember most is that whatever we got, was given with much love.
      Submitted by Pat


When my oldest granddaughter was 8 years old, she was being naughty; and I told her if she wasn't good, Santa would not put gifts in her stocking. When Christmas Eve came, she helped my husband wrap gifts and saw what was to be my gift from Santa. On Christmas morning, with a concerned look on her face and a smug smile she was unable to conceal, she asked me if I knew why Santa is mad at me. I said, "Why do you think Santa is mad at me?" She said, "Because I was so excited I couldn't sleep so I came downstairs during the night to check the stockings and everyone had a present but you. I know Papa must have felt sorry for you when he saw you didn't have a present from Santa because I know he put that present in your stocking."
      Submitted by Judy

How to Help Your Senior Avoid Having a Blue Christmas

Well, it’s “the most wonderful time of the year” according to Mathis, Williams, Sinatra and so many others.  The holiday season is upon us.

For most of us, the holidays are a wonderful time to gather with family and friends sharing memories, laughs, and good cheer.  But for many seniors the holidays can be stressful, confusing, and depressing depending on their mental, physical and emotional needs.  Family members are often very busy with their lives and social obligations that they fail to notice how much their parents or grandparents look forward to spending time with them during the holidays.  Many seniors have outlived friends and family members which can make the holidays painful.  They can get lost in the chaos of happy family gatherings putting them at risk for the ‘Holiday Blues’.

‘Holiday Blues’ are feelings of profound sadness brought on by all the activities of the holiday season.  Seasonal blues can have an impact on all of us particular in the lives of older people.  It can impact your physical health, impair your memory and concentration, and prevent you from enjoying the holidays.

Help your loved one enjoy the holiday season by planning ahead.  If you’re loved one tire easily limit the number and the length of time with activities.  The noise and confusion can lead to exhaustion so designate a ‘quiet room’ where your loved one can take a break or a nap.  Be sure to keep medications at their regular schedule during these frenzy times.

If a holiday get together is held in their home do not rearrange the furniture of a loved one with memory impairment or behavioral problems.  This will cause confusion and anxiety.  If gathering in a place unfamiliar to them remove throw rugs and items that could make it difficult for someone with balance problems or who has difficulty walking.

Seniors whose memories are impaired may have difficulty remembering recent events, but they often are able to share stories and observations from the past. Children enjoy hearing how it was ‘when your parents were your age’.  I suggest using picture albums and watch old Christmas programs on TV to help stimulate memories and encourage older seniors to share their stories and experiences.

Try to avoid making comments that could embarrass your loved one who may be experiencing dementia problems.  They may forget a recent conversation or repeat sentences they have already told you, we need to be careful so we don’t make it worse by saying “Don’t you remember?” or “You already said that!”

A holiday is still a holiday whether it is celebrated at home, senior supportive apartments, or an assisted living home.  So, with all the hustle and bustle of the season, just remember to be sensitive and loving.  And plan ahead.

Lori Schuler is Marketing and Activity Director for Pioneer Place supportive Apartments

and North Haven Assisted Living Homes

Halloween Memories of Trick and Treats For Our Residents

Who doesn't love getting dressed up, pretending to be someone - or something - else? Years ago it was called a masquerade but that word isn't used too often anymore. 

Holidays were often an opportunity to memorize poems. One I can still recite:

Five little pumpkins

Sitting on a gate.

The first one says,

"Oh my! It's getting late!"

The second one says,

"There are witches in the air."

The third one says,

"I don't care."

The fourth one says,

"Let's run and run and run."

The fifth one says,

"It's Halloween fun."

Then WOOOOO went the wind

And out went the light.

And the five little pumpkins

Rolled out of sight.

Another Halloween tradition was reciting poems of Edgar Allen Poe. What a fascination with the dark side of human nature. Do you remember:

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly nappy, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, 'tapping at my chamber door -

Only this, and nothing more...'"

Taken from The Raven, first published in 1845.

What are some of your early childhood memories of Halloween?

Finally, Spring Arrives At Whitetail Run

Whitetail Run Onsite Manager Judith Strasser reports seeing the first signs of spring: residents lingering by the mail boxes in conversation, enjoying the warm temperatures and sunshine. After the long winter we all enjoy having our early evenings filled with daylight and replacing our heavy winter coats for light jackets. 


The resident's who call Whitetail Run home epitomize today's senior; they are active and interested in life. Rocking chairs on our resident's front porch are more likely a place to put their walking shoes than a place to sit and watch the world pass by.

The arrival of the yard crew is always a welcome sight for our residents, everyone seems to enjoy watching the workers remove the dead grass and leaves, making way for spring's green growth.


The warmer weather heralds another rite of spring: our resident's getting out their bikes and enjoying daily walks. For one resident, the absence of snow revealed what seems to be more than the usual amount of litter along Okray Drive. He said he can't understand why people feel it necessary to litter. He felt compelled to take a garbage bag and pick up the litter. Several trips for additional bags resulted in his having to borrow the utility cart to bring the filled bags back. If there is an organization looking for a community project, they might want to consider picking up the litter strewn along Okray Drive. I know our residents would appreciate it.
A pair of crows have taken over one of the pine trees near the club house and are busy with nesting duties. An owl that came too close to the pine tree causing the crows to raise quite a ruckus.

Residents have noticed several pairs of Bluebirds have returned and are calling our community home. Our residents feel a connection with nature and many of them have bird feeders up year round.  When one of our residents noticed a pair of Mallard Ducks waddling through her yard, she placed cracked corn and a trough of fresh water, much to the delight of the ducks. She received some good natured teasing that before long she won't be feeding just two ducks but their entire family. "Wait until those ducks start bringing their babies!" I think no one is going to mind and will look forward to the sight of baby ducks outside their window.


Mother's Day is always a special time at Whitetail Run. This year we had so many visitors parking spots were at a premium including spots near the club house! Our residents look forward to the arrival of family; some of the residents are treated to brunch and others plan a meal at home. Mother's Day flowers and hanging baskets are favorite gifts and are among the first bright spots of color to appear around the community. 


With spring here to stay, we look forward to enjoying more of our favorite outside hobbies.