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Ten of the Best Caregiver’s New Year’s Resolutions

The days leading up to New Year’s Day are a good time to reflect on the year passing and think about some goals for the upcoming year. Yes, we all laugh at New Year’s resolutions, mainly because we know how hard they can be to keep. But a new year also marks a chance for a new beginning. And if you are a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you could probably use a new beginning. 

We selected 10 of what we think are the very best New Year’s resolutions, taken from a variety of sources. We hope that there are a few that you can use.

  1. Perform one random act of kindness for a fellow caregiver. (From Alzheimer’s Music Connect)
  2. Thank yourself in case no one else does. Even if they don’t say it out loud, they are thinking it and know how fortunate they are to have you caring for them. (From Senior Corner)
  3. Start a “Monday Me Time” for yourself: Use each Monday to remind you of “what have I done for me lately?” Whether it is 5 minutes or 5 hours – it does not matter.  Check in with yourself every Monday and take time for you. (From Alzheimer’s Association)
  4. Get into an exercise program. Set goals and find a workout “buddy”. (From Assisting Hands)
  5. Resolve to grow your circle of care. Too often, caregiving responsibilities fall disproportionately on the shoulders of one member of the family. As the new year begins, try to bring other family members into your circle of care. Ask them for help. Share your experience with them. (From Caring Kind) 
  6. Use a local respite program to give yourself a break. (From Daily Caring)
  7. When you feel that you are imperfect, you will remember that guilt is not an option, as long as you know you did the best you could with the knowledge you had. (From AgingCare)
  8. Attend a regular caregiver’s support group in your area. (From Alzheimer’s Universe)
  9. Take care of your spiritual health. Feed your inner self through meditation, prayer, silence, reading, the arts, or in other ways you consider true. Seek wise and professional council if needed. (From Maria Shriver)
  10. Create an opportunity for reconnection to your loved one by viewing family photos, listening to their musical favorites or sharing a dance together. (From Alzheimer’s Music Connect)

We’ll close with one more thought from Alzheimer’s Universe. “The most important thing to remember this year when setting a New Year’s resolution is to consider how you can improve your life overall while continuing to provide the best possible care to your loved one. “

We couldn’t have said it better.