Once again, we’re at the threshold of another new year. Whether you’re 55 or 95, it’s an ideal time to intentionally look at the year ahead and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Now is your chance to visualize what you’d like your 2025 to be like and then strive to make it happen.
Prioritizing your health can have huge payoffs. If you need help staying active or beginning an exercise program, the Juanita Pohl Center offers classes such as gentle yoga, Tai Chi, Nia, and Strength and Stretch. Going for short walks in Tualatin’s beautiful parks might be a start. If you haven’t checked in with your doctor in a while, now might be the time.
Have you taken advantage of Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit? The Pohl Center also offers classes dealing with various health topics. Check the Wellness and Longevity course catalog, as well as the Lifelong Learning Programs. Consider your eating habits and ask yourself if you’re eating an overall healthy diet. Would you benefit from a subtle change?
Socialization is great for your mental health and happiness. You can make it a priority to stay in touch with family and friends and to meet new people, too! An exercise class at the senior center or attending a Lunch and Learn could be a place to make friends. Bingo, held on the first Thursday of each month, is a free activity and lots of fun. You might attend a meeting of the Tualatin Aging Task Force to meet other seniors and learn about how our seniors are being represented in Tualatin. If you’re on Facebook, join the Tualatin Area Seniors page to connect with others and keep abreast of topics and events that you might find relevant.
It feels good to give back, and volunteering opportunities abound in Tualatin. If you’re interested in volunteering for the city, contact Volunteer Program Manager, Jackie Konen, at 503-691-3087. She can help steer you in the right direction.
It’s important to engage in activities that bring you joy. Are there old passions you have neglected and could bring back to life? I used to enjoy singing and playing my guitar. Things got busy, and I quit making time. Lately, I’ve picked it up again, and am reminded why I used to enjoy it so much. Do you have something like that? Perhaps you could look through the Pohl Center catalog of courses for an activity that strikes your fancy. There are online resources and meetup groups, too.
If you are a person who enjoys making New Year’s Resolutions, consider setting small, achievable goals. Think, “I will go to the gym for 30 minutes 3 times a week,” rather than, “I will get fit.” Focus on, “I’ll try adding vegetables to two more meals this week” instead of thinking, “I’m going to go on a whole new diet.” Celebrate your successes.
Sometimes finances, transportation, and other issues can hinder us from meeting our goals. Embolden yourself to search out resources like The Tualatin Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, AARP Tax-Aide, or Ride Connection. The Pohl Center offers some Adult Services and Support Groups, including Legal Aid Services that offer a 30-minute consultation with a volunteer attorney that includes the topics Estate Planning and Elder Law. Washington County has a Department of Disability, Aging, and Veteran Services. You can be your own top-notch advocate in 2025. Happy New Year to us all!
