Never Stop Dreaming: How to Help Seniors with Goal Setting

You are never too old to set goals for the future. Many of us fall into the trap of thinking that we are too old, too busy, or too sick to make plans, or that we should wait until we have more money or until we get more organized. The problem with that is that in most cases the day will never come. If you are caring for senior who has stopped setting goals for the future, encourage them to do it. These goals could be personal, professional, financial, physical, mental, or spiritual. People who set goals are happier, more focused and are more likely to accomplish their dreams. Here are some tips that can help them get started.

Write it Down: Just the act of writing a goal down significantly increases the likelihood of achieving it. For some reason, seeing it in print makes us feel a little more accountable. If their goal is to walk for half an hour each day, write it down and put it up on the fridge. You can even put a check mark for each day you do it.

Make the Goal S.M.A.R.T: It is important for all goals to be specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound. Goals that are S.M.A.R.T. are more achievable and more meaningful than goals that are vague. An example of a S.M.A.R.T. goal could be, “I will learn a new board game by March.”

Share the Goal with Friends and Family: It is often a great idea to involve friends and family in the goal setting process. It increases their chances of success and it also allows them to be a part of it. For example, if their goal is to make a perfect cheesecake, a member of the family may want to attend a cooking class with them. They could even plan a cake tasting event and invite family and friends. Involving people in their goals will keep them engaged, strengthen relationships, and it can also be a lot of fun.

Break the Goal Down: Some of the goals that people set for themselves feel overwhelming. For example, a goal to become adept with social media can feel like an insurmountable task to someone who is not comfortable using a computer. However, if you break the goal down into manageable chunks, such as setting up a Facebook profile, finding Facebook friends, doing a LinkedIn tutorial, or sending out a Tweet, and you commit to doing one task each day, it might feel a little more manageable.

iCare provides premier homecare health care services. From Medical Home Care to Non-Medical Home Care, we can step in and ensure your loved ones are our priority. Call us and book an assessment.

Choosing the right Senior Care and Home Healthcare agency in Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington areas can be an uphill task. We are happy to discuss the needs of your family and come up with a custom plan to help you succeed.