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JANUARY NEWS

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New Year's Resolutions: Tips for Success

The new year is a time when people reflect on their lifestyle habits and resolve to make healthy changes.


But, for many of us, behavior change isn’t easy; here is an easy roadmap to success!


Get ready to begin working on your new year’s resolution.


  • Start by writing down things you would like to work on, then pick one that resonates with you and that requires little time or cost outlay. An example would be to stay in touch with family or friends more. You could write down that you will call at least one person each week.  


Congratulations! You just set your first goal!


  • Remember, there is no “one way” to reach a goal or action step. Using the above example, you could also decide that you will visit one person each week, like a family member or friend. Meeting in person is a nice alternative to a phone call or email/text. Make sure you have a few action steps so your goal is achievable.

Not working for you? That’s OK, rethink your goal and action steps. Did you choose an area like: begin to exercise or lose weight? Did you expect to go to the gym or walk every day, or lose weight within a few days by limiting your food intake? While both goals are good, the actions are too restrictive and lofty. 


Think of creating action steps that are small and achievable, like exercising every other day for 10 minutes rather than every day for a half hour. Or, try using a smaller plate to control serving sizes, which will provide you with less calories from foods you enjoy rather than restricting your food selection to low calorie content foods you normally don’t eat. 


Make sure you have selected a goal that resonates with you! If all your friends are working on exercising more, don’t jump into that goal if you really aren’t excited about it. Look at your current behaviors and identify something that will help you; if you have trouble remembering to take your daily medication – perhaps that might be a good goal to try first. 


Once you’ve achieved that goal, create a new goal! Behavior change takes thoughtful insight into your current habits and how you can succeed; small steps with achievable goals will get you there.

Expect to be challenged. New behaviors take time; you might find it helpful to write down what you want to achieve and keep track of your progress. If you hit a bumpy road, rethink your motivation by writing down why you want to change a certain behavior and how you will achieve it. Small steps help you practice for success — stay the course!


If you have set a goal and changed your behavior for two weeks or more — good for you! Take the time to reflect on what worked for you and how you will continue to move forward week by week. 

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” ~ Henry Ford

Remember, setting a new year’s resolution is just a new way of creating a healthy opportunity whether you are deciding on eating healthier, exercising more, taking your medications as prescribed or starting a budget or savings plan — only you can select the action steps to achieve your goal. And then, only you can take the first and subsequent steps in fulfilling your goal. Go for it! 


For more information on setting goals in 2025 check out this article from the Cleveland Clinic.


When Resolutions Don't Work—What’s Next?

Learn why traditional resolutions fail and discover flexible, actionable strategies to create lasting change and motivation in this GetSetUp class titled, "When resolutions don't work—what's next?" Use code "area4-ca" to take this class for free!

SIGN UP FOR RESOLUTIONS ONLINE CLASS

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. But half of the people with glaucoma don’t know they have it.


Glaucoma is a serious, lifelong eye disease that can lead to vision loss if not controlled. But for most people, glaucoma does not have to lead to blindness. That is because glaucoma is controllable with modern treatment, and there are many choices to help keep glaucoma from further damaging your eyes. Treatment cannot reverse damage that has already occurred, but it can prevent further vision loss. Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. This nerve sends information from your eyes to your brain. When glaucoma damages your optic nerve, you begin to lose patches of vision, usually side vision (peripheral vision).


Glaucoma has no early symptoms. The only way to check for it is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There’s no cure for glaucoma, but starting treatment as early as possible can help stop vision loss.


Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk, including people who:

  • Are over age 60
  • Are Black/African American and over age 40
  • Are Asian American
  • Are Hispanic/Latino
  • Have a family history of glaucoma

This Glaucoma Awareness Month, join our National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) in encouraging everyone at higher risk for glaucoma to get a dilated eye exam. It’s the best way to protect their vision!

LEARN MORE ABOUT GLAUCOMA

Vision Changes as You Age

As you age, it is normal to notice changes in your vision. Vision changes can make it difficult to perform everyday activities, such as reading, walking safely, taking medications, performing self-care and household tasks, and driving. 


Some changes are normal. These changes include the following: 

  • Losing focus, making it harder to focus vision up close. 
  • Having trouble distinguishing colors, such as blue from black, or where an object ends and its background begins. 
  • Needing more light to see well and more time to adjust to changing levels of light (e.g., going from a room that is dark to one that is brightly lit). 

These changes do not have to stop you from enjoying an active lifestyle or maintaining your independence. 


Vision loss is not a normal part of aging. But, as you get older, you are at higher risk of developing the following age-related eye diseases and conditions that can lead to vision loss or blindness: 

  • Age-related macular degeneration 
  • Cataract Diabetic retinopathy
  • Glaucoma

Even if you are not experiencing vision problems, it is still important to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Early detection and treatment can help save your sight.


MORE INFO ABOUT EYES & AGING

Medic Alert Systems


The National Council on Aging has narrowed down the best medical alert systems based on features, cost, and performance to help you find the right device. Their review team spent more than 2,500 hours conducting in-depth research and hands-on testing of medical alert systems in order to confidently recommend the best brands and devices.


Reviews on this website highlight critical safety features like fall detection, check-ins, and GPS tracking to help you quickly find what you need.


READ MEDICAL ALERT REVIEWS

Cold Weather: Safety Tips for Older Adults

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!


When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and falls in ice and snow.


Like most things in life, it is better to be prepared. Here are a few precautions everyone should take, especially older adults, during the winter.


Click the image to download Winter Safety Tips for Older Adults or visit HealthinAging.org for more information.


Year in Review: 2023-24 Agency on Aging Area 4 Annual Report

The 2023-24 Agency on Aging Area 4 Annual Report is out now and available to view on our website!


This year, we’re showcasing our work through a fresh, bright color palette and more information about our programs and funded partners. The content is also now presented in alignment with our our six categories of service.


We also featured our growing volunteer program and an expanded section full of inspiring consumer success stories—all in alignment with our Strategic Plan goals.

VIEW ANNUAL REPORT

Healthy Eating = Healthy Aging


New Year,

New Goals


This is the time of year when people step up and improve their nutrition but sometimes

it can be difficult to find a nutrition guideline that works for you.


Make it easy on yourself. The USDA created MyPlate to provide a personalized approach to healthy eating to help you meet your goals using a modern approach.


You can customize MyPlate to fit your dietary needs, preferences, cultural traditions, and budget. 

To learn more about simple, practical ways to eat healthier click the link below to learn more about MyPlate. 

MYPLATE.GOV

Southwestern Pepper Cups


A good nutrition goal to consider is to make half your plate fruits and vegetables: vary your vegetables. Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as part of the vegetable group.


Vegetables and fruit may be raw or cooked and can be fresh, frozen, canned or dried. 


This week if you have any leftover bell peppers try this delicious stuffed pepper recipe, it’s sure to become a staple in your home. Click link below to try this recipe.





GET RECIPE

Picadillo


So, you want to set a goal this year to increase your protein. When it comes to protein you don’t have to stick to just chicken breast. Remember, protein foods include all foods made from seafood, meat poultry, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds and soy products.


Eat a variety of protein food to get more nutrients your body needs. 


If you’re looking for a well-seasoned meat dish surrounded in spices, onions and tomatoes Picadillo is sure to be a hit. Click the link below to try this recipe. 




GET RECIPE

GetSetUp: Free Online Classes for Older Adults

We’ve selected a variety of health and wellness classes for you through GetSetUp, an organization created by older adults, to help people 55+ learn new skills, connect with others, and unlock new life experiences. 


All those 60+ are welcome and workshops are free when using passcode "area4-ca". 

This Month's Featured Classes

How to Create (and Stick to) a Healthy Meal Plan

Want to eat healthier but not sure where to start? In this class, we will discuss how to craft and follow a personalized meal plan that suits your lifestyle and nutritional needs.

BOOK CLASS

Exercise Ideas for Older Adults: Stay Strong & Healthy

If you're concerned about staying fit as you age, don't worry! There are plenty of exercises that can help keep your body strong and healthy.

BOOK CLASS

How to Have a Safe Walking Workout

Join this class to discover valuable tips to transform your walk into a powerful workout, keeping you safe and your fitness goals within reach.

BOOK CLASS

Winter Fitness: Gentle Strength & Energizing Cardio

Join this class to discover valuable tips to transform your walk into a powerful workout, keeping you safe and your fitness goals within reach.

BOOK CLASS

Find a Hobby for the New Year

Step into the New Year with enthusiasm by finding a new hobby that sparks your interest and creativity! Whether you're looking to learn, create, or simply have fun, we'll help you navigate the path to discovering a fulfilling new pastime.

BOOK CLASS

Workshops for Healthy Aging

Agency on Aging Area 4 hosts free virtual and in-person workshops for the older adult community in Sacramento, Nevada, Placer, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties.


UPCOMING WORKSHOPS: Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) in Yuba and Sutter counties


If you or someone you love has diabetes, the Agency on Aging\Area 4 is offering free diabetes education using the Diabetes Education and Empowerment Program (DEEP). You will learn how to be in charge of your diabetes rather than letting it run your life.


DEEP is for anyone age 60+ with a diagnosis of Diabetes, Prediabetes or for those who simply want to reduce their chances of developing diabetes.


This class is offered free of charge by Agency on Aging Area 4.


Learn how to:

  • Improve your A1C levels
  • Make healthy eating and exercise lifestyle habits
  • Manage mental health and stress levels
  • Perform successful Glucose self-monitoring
  • Control blood pressure and blood fats (cholesterol, triglycerides)
  • Perform good foot care and more!


Marysville:

  • Harmony Health Marysville
  • Wednesdays, January 15th – February 19th
  • 1PM-2:30PM 


Yuba City:

  • Harmony Health Yuba City 
  • Wednesdays, March 19th – April 23rd 
  • 10:30AM-12PM


Interested in learning more about this class? Contact Brittany Lathrop at blathrop@agencyonaging4.org or by phone at (916) 710-8380



LEARN MORE ABOUT HEALTHY AGING WORKSHOPS

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This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The materials or product were a result of a project funded by a contract with the California Department of Aging.