Submitted by Jeffrey Williams, Commonwealth Senior Living at Haddam
(February 11, 2026) — So many of my friends and colleagues in the Haddam area made New Year’s resolutions this year. However, most abandoned them by the end of January. That is why I am not a big fan of resolutions, but I am a fan of bucket lists. Bucket lists motivate us to work toward our dreams, both big and small. What many may not realize is that bucket lists have tremendous health benefits, especially for seniors.
According to numerous studies from the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and others, bucket lists encourage healthier physical and mental behaviors. That is why it is so important to help the seniors in your life create and accomplish those items on their list.
As someone who has worked with seniors and their family members for many years, I get to see firsthand how bucket lists create lifelong memories between loved ones and encourage healthier behaviors. The first step is asking the question. I always recommend beginning the conversation in the context of a happy memory. For example, if a loved one enjoyed gardening when they were younger, you can ask them what they were most proud of in their garden. You can then steer the conversation to discussing something they wish they had been able to accomplish with their garden.
The second recommendation I tell families is that bucket lists don’t have to be complicated. According to a 2023 study by Forbes, the number one bucket list item for the seniors surveyed said they wanted to start a new hobby. Helping a loved one find a passion for a new hobby doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive. A new hobby provides the opportunity to learn something new and to socialize with others. The truth is most people, including seniors, have a balanced mix of things that they want to experience in life. That Forbes survey showed that most seniors want to start a new hobby, spend more time with friends and family, exercise more, and focus on their health.
Finally, I recommend that family members try not to force creating a bucket list in one conversation. The fact is all of us need time to think about the things we want to experience in life. Creating a bucket list is an extremely reflective process because it goes to the heart of who we are. These things take time to create, especially for seniors. Give them time to reflect and create a space where they can think about what they still want to do.
From improved cardiovascular health to healthier eating habits and increased cognition, creating bucket lists and having loved ones help them accomplish those bucket list items has been proven to extend seniors lives. As we look forward to the promises of 2026, I would encourage everyone to help a senior loved one create a bucket list.
