The holidays are a time of family traditions and celebrations. People connect and make memories, but as with every year, holidays come and go. Once Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed, many people look forward to the new year as a fresh beginning. For seniors, it can be more challenging to get excited about the new year. Understanding the apprehension a senior feels about the new year is important for helping them develop a better perspective. Typically, New Year’s resolutions have something to do with self-improvement. For an aging senior, these types of vows may not be as attainable as they were years ago. Of course losing weight, eating better and exercising daily is important, but it’s not necessarily the best focus for a senior. A team effort may be just the ticket to jump start 2016. Related: Winter safety tips  Here are some ideas for how to build a new tradition with family by sharing a resolution that will last all year long… Get tech savvy – Believe it or not, seniors are the fastest growing demographic on social networks. If older loved ones don’t already have a computer or tablet, now might be the right time to introduce one. Once past the initial learning curve, technology and social media are excellent ways to share pictures, communicate remotely and to keep them engaged with something. If your loved one is intimidated, teach them the basics. Not only will it build a platform to connect in the future, but it could bring you together in the present as well. Start a letter journal – Seniors come from a generation when handwritten letters were the norm. Many still view letter writing as a personal way of keeping in contact with family near and far. Starting a letter journal might even provide your family with a fun, new tradition that will last for years. You can start by picking out a journal together. Take turns writing letters before returning it to the next family member to write inside. Sharing a letter journal with your loved one is a unique way to strengthen your connection and get to know each other better. Share an activity – For most of us, free time is limited, but there is bound to be a shared interest that family members can find time to connect over. Whether it’s once a month or once a week, participate in an activity together. It can be difficult for seniors to get out and be active by themselves, but there are many options for getting together. Make it a regular occasion to join them at church or community socials or sign up for a volunteering opportunity together. It can even be as simple as setting a monthly date for a family dinner at home. Remember, don’t let one outing end until the next one is on the calendar! New Year’s resolutions help everyone feel a greater sense of purpose, and this couldn’t be more true for a senior. Take the time to understand what your loved one wants to get out of the new year, and create a family resolution that helps them achieve it. For more ways to help the seniors in your life make the most out of 2016, contact AT Home Care at (804) 359-3400.