Many people's New Year's resolutions revolve around losing weight, quitting smoking or saving more money. But if you are a caregiver, and most of us will become one at some point in our lives, there are some New Year's resolutions you might want to consider. These simple tips will improve both your life, and that of your loved one:




#1 Better Time Management

How often as a caregiver do you feel like there are not enough hours in the day? But now there are new technologies that can help you to become a better caregiver. There is a new app CareZone that can help caregivers to better organize files, contacts and medications.

Another option to manage your time better is to have a medication reminder for your loved one, such as this one:



MedCenter System Pill Organizer

#2 Plan With Your Loved Ones

It isn't easy to talk about long term care and end of life. But these talks need to be had eventually. You can resolve this year to have these conversations with your parents or loved ones.

#3 Get Documents in Order

Use the New Year as a reason to get all of your loved one's documents together, such as marriage certificate, wills, military records, IDs, tax records etc. You do not know when you will need these, but you are going to need them all in the future.

#4 Help Your Loved One Eat Better

Did you know that 3.7 million seniors were found to be malnourished in 2012? Seniors who cannot cook easily for themselves or go shopping are at higher risk. Be sure that your loved one is getting adequate nutrition. Consider recruiting other friends and family to help you with shopping and food prep.

#5 Learn About Long Term Care Costs

Most people do not learn about what long term care costs until it is too late. Note that Medicare does not provide for long term care costs, and that what long term care costs in 10 years may be a lot more than today.

If you resolve to move forward in these five areas this New Year, your life and that of your loved one will be on a better foundation for the future.