The new year is well and truly underway, but it’s not too late to plan what you would like to accomplish in 2024.

In addition to the usual goals of maintaining a healthy diet and daily exercise, Pearl Home Care has put together 8 ideas to get you thinking about how to make sure you look back on 2024 as a great year!

1. Go somewhere you’ve never been before
One of the Dalai Lama’s rules to live by is: ‘once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before’. Beyond the excitement of experiencing something new, there is fun to be had in planning the trip! For inspiration, here are the Top 8 Australian bucket list locations for seniors.

2. Discover an ‘assistive product’ that makes your life easier
The Australian LiveUp Organisation says that 50% of the challenges older people report with daily living activities can be overcome or reduced with the right supports and assistive products. To find the right assistive product for you have a look at these suggestions on the LiveUp website.

3. Volunteer in your community
Have you considered volunteered for a sporting, art, music or fundraising event? Or perhaps helping out at a charitable organisation? For example, you can assist with animal care at the RSPCA, provide op-shop assistance at Vinnies or perform seed collecting for your local Bushcare group. Volunteering Australia has many opportunities to get involved in your community.

4. Beyond Boring Exercise
Walking is proven to be the best exercise for a healthy heart and maintaining mobility, but it is not for everyone. Here are 10 fun activities that might not have made it onto your list yet.

5. Food for thought
Urban farm produce, climate-conscious foods, pasture raised meat and eggs, island flavours, spicy bakes, international BBQ and culinary upcycling are on the list of things to try this year. Things like adding chipotle to your cupcakes or creating a meal with food scraps are trends identified by Cozymeal guaranteed to shake up meal time.

6. Challenging your brain
Keeping your brain active is just as important for good health, as keeping your body active. The Harvard Medical School refers to a study that found people in their 70s and 80s who engaged the most with mentally stimulating activities were half as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment as those who didn’t. Reading, writing, playing board games and cards, going to museums, playing musical instruments and learning new things may help to prevent cognitive decline.

7. Gardening with a twist
Rewilding, forest gardens, eco-optimism, slow gardening and electroculture are a few of the gardening trends this year. These trends mentioned by The Seed Collection are challenging the typical back yard garden of lawn and flower beds and might just change the way you think about gardening.

8. Get Inspired
If you’re still looking for more inspiration, the Senior Australian of the Year Award celebrates stories of positive ageing and the Liveup Inspiration page showcases senior Australians keeping active and adventurous in a number of new and fun ways.

Positive ageing is achievable for everyone. If you would like to learn how Pearl Home Care can assist you to have a positive ageing experience, contact your local Pearl Home Care office today and look forward to an active and rewarding 2024.