Another new year is upon us, and our yearly ritual of self-improvement is in full swing.

I don’t know the statistics, but from the parking lot at the local health club, I gather that a lot of people deemed January a prime time to start an exercise program. Others may be waging battles against tobacco or caffeine in hopes of a new and improved self.

But how many of us make resolutions about how we want to live when we are older? Maybe you don’t even know where to start, so I thought I’d offer a few ideas.

You’ve probably read about the importance of socializing for maintaining good health. Unfortunately, social isolation is one of the more common pitfalls that older people face.

It may be that your mobility declines or you stop driving; perhaps your spouse gets sick or old friends start to pass away. Suddenly, or so it seems, you haven’t talked to anyone for days.

Social isolation can lead to depression and loneliness for anyone, but for older people, it may feel like it is irreversible. So what can you do? First, don’t buy into the notion that it is too late. Reach out!

Look around and see who you can make contact with. Make a point to call each person once a week just to say hi. If some of those contacts have busy

. SENIORS, Page 22