BLOOMFIELD, CT, Dec. 22, 2011 – It’s time for that annual ritual – making New Year’s resolutions.  For the residents of Duncaster Retirement Community, the idea of this annual exercise brings a variety of feelings – from “Doesn’t everybody?” to “They’re a waste of time.” 

Their attitudes towards New Year’s resolutions reflect those of the general population.  It’s been estimated that 40 to 45 percent of Americans make one or more resolutions a year, according to Serge Prengel, a psychotherapist, life coach and marriage counselor in New York City.   He cites statistics that say that 75 percent of people stick to those resolutions past the first week, but only 46 percent keep them past six months.  “While a lot of people who make New Year’s resolutions do break them, research shows that making resolutions is useful,” he says.  “People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.”

Duncaster resident Dean Daniels is with the 40 percent of the population who finds the process helpful.  “Doesn’t everybody make them?” he asks.  “We make them to break them!  I make a couple for myself and some for my wife.”  His resolutions this year are to “…improve my patience plus lose five pounds around the middle.  I need to push myself away from the table, but it’s tough here with our new chef.”  And what about his resolution involving his wife, Twila?  “I want to spend more with her on the computer so she can get more comfortable with all that it can do.” 

Improved patience is a goal for another Duncaster resident, Janice Hawley, who admits that her years as a former New Yorker have left her with a need to go-go-go.  “I tend to be impatient, so my New Year’s resolution is to work on that,” she says.  She’s also resolved to do her exercises daily and to stop worrying about her children.  “They are grown adults,” she admits.  “But I still worry about the same things, like their getting home safely.  I guess you never outgrown that.”  

Former IBM engineer and Duncaster resident Calvin Conrad takes a more practical approach to New Year’s resolutions.  “I don’t make them,” he states flatly.  “I don’t see any practical reason  that making them will work.   People make them to feel better.  They list all the things they haven’t done that they should have done, but then they don’t do anything about them.”  Not surprisingly, he’s never made New Year’s resolutions, but he has made it a point to do things that move him forward.  “When you go through life you do make decisions and plan to do things.   I don’t call them resolutions,” he says.  “You do make plans on important things and that’s a good thing, but there’s no reason to do them only once a year on New Year’s.  I like the idea of sitting down and sorting things out.  It’s a good practice, but I’d suggest doing frequently and not just on the first of the year.  Think of it as long-range to do list.”

Long-time Duncaster resident Muriel Murphy reflects the attitude conflicted attitude many Americans have about New Year’s resolutions: “They’re a waste of time, but they are good,” she laughs.  “Doing them makes you conscious of what you want to be doing or what you want to stop doing.  The process raises important issues.”

 She’s made them in the past but found she only kept them “until I forgot”.  Like the majority of Americans, Mrs. Murphy’s resolutions have dealt with losing weight, staying away from sweets and exercising.  And what’s her advice for those contemplating making New Year’s resolutions this year?  “Give it a shot, but make sure you’re aim’s good.  You might as well make them.  They give you something to shoot at and if you shoot for the stars you get as far as the neighbor’s yard.  That’s a start.”

And what if you make them and fall short of living up to them?  Mrs. Murphy gives this final advice: “Don’t’ be too hard on yourself.  Join the rest of the world.  I’ve never known anyone who’s made and kept them, but maybe I don’t know the right people.  Or, maybe I do know the right people.”

About Duncaster:

Duncaster Retirement Community is a life care retirement community for active, healthy independent seniors who want lifetime protection against the potential costs of long-term care.  The Bloomfield, CT retirement community is dedicated to helping residents live life to the fullest by providing security and fulfillment.  Its campus includes 190 independent residences, assisted living and a short-and long-term healthcare facility.  Duncaster’s emphasis on serving the changing needs of older adults led to the opening of its updated and expanded dining and hospitality amenities that reflects contemporary styles of dining and socializing.   For more information, see www.duncaster.org or call (860) 380-5005.

Media contact:

Andrea Obston aobston@aomc.com

(860) 243-1447 (office) (860) 803-1155 (cell)

(860) 653-27612 (home)

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