It’s that time of year again — if you’re like most people, you probably have a list of resolutions you want to tackle in 2023. Some of your goals may range from drinking more water to acquiring a new skill, like sourdough bread making or woodworking. 

Amid your goal-setting activities, have you contemplated what your parents’ or grandparents’ goals might be? As people age, it might be harder for them to achieve goals due to mobility or a lack of independence. While we encourage you to set your own goals, consider helping your elderly loved one reach their goals as well. Here are three tips to help you help your senior family member achieve their dreams in 2023. 

Review and discuss their plans

According to a study performed by Dominican University of California, those who wrote down their goals and shared them with a friend were 33 percent more successful in accomplishing their goals than those who simply thought of a goal and kept it to themselves. 

When supporting an elderly loved one in their resolutions, encourage them to write them down. This could be in their journal, on a piece of paper that is hung on their bathroom mirror or on a notepad sitting in their kitchen. Further, make an effort to ask them questions such as the following:

• Why is this goal important to you?
• What will your success look like?
• What will your first step be in reaching this goal?
• What are your barriers?

Asking questions can help spark new, creative ideas that will aid your loved one in reaching their goal. Additionally, it shows that you love and care about their success. You can become their biggest cheerleader, motivating them to work harder and not give up. 

Monitor their progress

Research suggests that there is a positive correlation between goal attainment and progress monitoring. In fact, Benjamin Harkin, PhD, of the University of Sheffield, stated that “prompting progress monitoring improves behavioral performance and the likelihood of attaining one’s goals.” 

There are different types of monitoring, however, and some are more effective than others. The APA recommends that people record, report or publicly announce their progress. Further, those who share their goals and progress publicly are more likely to reach their goals than those who don’t. This is because the goal setter is more likely to remain accountable when reporting to a friend, relative, teacher or manager. Having someone to review your progress and provide constructive feedback is crucial in reaching your resolutions.

As a trusted relative or friend, you can help your elderly loved one reach their goals by monitoring their progress. This could be done by having a weekly or monthly phone call check-in, taking them to lunch to discuss their accomplishments or encouraging them to write down their progress each week. 

Participate if possible

The best way to support a loved one in their goals is through participation. If your relative wants to learn how to bake a cake, why not learn with them? Similarly, if they wish to walk 7,000 steps each day, commit to doing the same. As you work along with your loved one to accomplish the same goal, you will bolster each other up and strengthen your relationship. 

“Everyone would benefit from support; this is especially true with our elderly population. Having family/friends/caregivers providing love, encouragement, and support is beneficial to the elderly individual to help them reach their physical, emotional, and social goals,” shares Marquise, DPT, a physical therapist at Horizon Ridge Skilled Therapy and Rehab. “Also, there is nothing better than witnessing the families of the elderly at our facility provide their loved ones with encouragement and motivation to keep moving forward.” 

Below are a few elderly-friendly specific goals that you could accomplish together:

• Get eight hours or more of sleep.
• Do one social activity per week.
• Play one brain-stimulating game each day.
• Write a daily gratitude journal entry.
• Learn how to quilt.

There are many other goals you and your elderly loved one could choose from. Consult with them and then work on achieving that goal together! 

When setting goals for 2023, don’t forget your senior relatives that could use a little push in achieving their goals. Help them set and accomplish resolutions by discussing their plans, monitoring their progress and participating if possible. By doing so, you can act as your loved one’s main supporter. Working together will encourage you both to reach your 2023 goals, and it will create long-lasting memories that are priceless.

Marisa Gooch is a project manager at Stage Marketing, a full-service content marketing agency based in Provo.

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