Practical health resolutions for adults over 50

If you’re over 50, chances are you’ve made at least a few New Year’s resolutions—and broken a few too. 

According to researchers at the University of Michigan, that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on setting goals altogether. Instead, new findings suggest that realistic, achievable health-related resolutions can pay off, especially when they focus on everyday actions many older adults haven’t yet taken.

The recommendations are drawn from recent results of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging and the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging, which surveyed adults age 50 and older nationwide. The polls reveal common gaps in planning, preparation, and awareness that experts say can be addressed without major lifestyle overhauls.

“Whether you call them resolutions, goals, or just helpful ideas, these are actions many older adults aren’t doing yet, but could do relatively easily,” said Erica Solway, Ph.D., deputy director of the poll and an aging expert at U-M’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

Planning ahead for health decisions

One of the most striking findings involves advance care planning. Only 27% of adults over 50 reported completing a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, a form that designates someone to make medical decisions if they’re unable to do so themselves.

Experts say the document takes only minutes to complete but can spare families confusion and stress during medical emergencies. Solway emphasized that it’s important for the form to be included in a person’s electronic health record and discussed with the chosen decision-maker.

Most older adults say they want to remain in their homes as they age, yet fewer than half of those 65 and older have taken steps to make their homes safer. Simple modifications—such as adding grab bars, improving lighting, removing trip hazards, and installing railings—can reduce fall risks and support independence.

For some, planning may include larger changes, such as creating a first-floor bedroom or considering a move to more age-friendly housing before mobility becomes an issue.

Staying socially connected

The polls also underscore the health importance of social connections. While three-quarters of adults over 50 say they have enough close friends, those with fair or poor physical or mental health report far lower levels of connection.

Regular contact—whether through in-person visits, phone calls, or virtual meetups—was linked to lower feelings of loneliness and isolation. Many respondents also said friends played a key role in encouraging medical care or helping during illness.

Other suggestions

Other suggested resolutions focus on emerging challenges. With artificial intelligence becoming more common, 81% of adults over 50 said they want to know more about AI-related risks, including scams and deepfakes. Learning to spot misinformation, researchers say, is becoming a key digital literacy skill.

The polls also found that three in four older adults have experienced extreme weather in the past two years, yet few have discussed emergency preparedness with a health care provider. Experts recommend planning for medication access, power outages, and evacuation needs.

Driving is another area where planning ahead matters. Although most older drivers feel confident today, far fewer feel confident about the future. Few know they can create an advance driving directive to help guide decisions if their abilities change.

Rethinking medications

Two other findings surprised researchers: 67% of adults over 50 were unfamiliar with their local Area Agency on Aging, a federally supported hub for services and programs, and nearly one in six reported taking aspirin regularly despite having no history of heart disease or stroke.

Medical guidance on aspirin has evolved, and experts now warn that for many people, bleeding risks may outweigh benefits. Poll leaders urge patients to discuss aspirin use with their doctors rather than continuing it out of habit.

Small steps, lasting impact

Across all nine suggested resolutions, the common theme is preparation rather than perfection. Solway said the data show that even small, concrete steps can improve safety, independence, and peace of mind.

“You don’t have to change everything at once,” she said. “But taking action now—before a crisis hits—can make a real difference in how well people age.”