24
SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE
| Winter 2016
very January 1st, a new
calendar begins, which
often means new hopes,
new plans and, for
many,
new
year’s
resolutions. People of all ages see the
new year as a new beginning, a chance
to change their lives, or to improve on
things from the previous year. While
the most popular new year’s resolutions
involve losing weight or getting in
better shape, each generation tends to
have their own types of resolutions and
that changes over time.
In December of 2010, I spoke with a
number of Senior Citizens and asked
them what their new year’s resolutions
would be for 2011. All of the seniors
that I interviewed
By Dusty Dearman
WRJW News Director
E
New Year Resolutions
for Senior Citizens
said they have set goals for years and have always been successful in reaching those
goals. When asked what goals they had, the results were varied. The top response
was improving their health, second was getting out of the house and being more
active, third was becoming more familiar with technology such as emailing and
social networking, fourth was developing a new hobby while spending more time
with their family was fifth.
That was five years ago, so how much, if any, have the new year’s resolutions of
Senior Citizens changed? I was curious about that so, again in December of 2015,
I asked another group of Senior Citizens about new year’s resolutions. Once again,
the seniors who have had success in keeping previous resolutions were happy to
step up and share their goals for 2016.
The top response this year was not improving their health, but maintaining their
health. Many said that by making, and keeping the goal to maintain their health
by eating right and exercise, it is much easier to keep that goal. The second most
popular resolution involved technology, but it was much further than emails and
Facebook. Today’s Seniors are expanding their knowledge of technology by getting
deeper into the world of computers, ranging from smart phones to video
conferencing technology. A close third, and often due in part from the video con-
ferencing technology, was maintaining close family bonds.
Seniors today are able to watch their grandchildren as they grow from across
the country. Today’s seniors live an active lifestyle and are quick to hop in a car
or even a plane and go visit their families. The fourth most popular
resolution involved community involvement. The old, out dated image of
Senior Citizens has been replaced with a more accurate image, which
involves Seniors who are volunteering their time and energy to help
promote the community where they live.
Involvement of Senior Citizens among community or-
ganizations has seen a steady rise over the past several years.
Finally, Seniors are still looking to expand their mind
through hobbies. Organizations such as the Senior Center
offer classes to teach Seniors skills such as line dancing and
piano. In 2016, a new ceramics class will be added, because that
is what Senior Citizens of Pearl River County wanted to learn.
So, if you are considering making a late new year’s resolution,
think about some of the plans and goals of other area Senior Citizens
for inspiration and make 2016 the best year you can.
