Dear Friends,

“So what’s your New Year’s resolution, Dad?” My daughter, Rebecca, wanted to know.

“The same as your mother’s,” I replied without hesitation or even knowing what it was. I’ve resolved to follow my wife’s example. For a year now she has been exercising daily, making healthy food choices, and those choices have made all the difference in the way she feels and looks. I must admit that I count myself among the millions of Americans who commit to resolutions that by year-end are usually forgotten. But as one of an entire generation of baby boomers who once believed we could never trust anyone over 30, we need to do more than merely profuse to stay healthy.

As the largest generation in U.S. history, we all are trying harder to stay young. Our generation has spawned health clubs, Botox treatments, wrinkle-free creams, and all kinds of exercise equipment, even high-tech running shoes and work-out clothes. And by 2030, there will be almost 72 million of us over the age of 65, doubling the number since 2000.

But the truth is that even our generation can’t engineer our way out of a few tried and true practices. The most important thing we can do in 2007 is focus on improving our health habits with good nutrition and exercise. It may be a matter of changing from drinking soda to water, or a daily 20 minute walk around the block.

The Hunterdon Center for Healthy Aging
In this Experience we introduce “The Hunterdon Center for Healthy Aging.” Everyone from young caregivers to our celebrated centenarians can call on the Center for medical advice or for information on community and social services for seniors. It offers easy, accessible, one stop health care. The Hunterdon Center for Healthy Aging can help even young people with a hearing loss, problems falling asleep or waking too early, or serious memory lapses. Patients at HMC’s Memory Center benefit from early intervention and treatment.

HMC has made another important resolution: Beginning January 2007 Hunterdon’s Healthcare System will be completely smoke-free throughout all locations in the region. It’s our way of sending a strong message that there are some poor health choices that cannot be tolerated. Hunterdon Medical Center wants to be an organizational role model for our employees, our families and our community.

Just remember, it isn’t necessary to make a long list of resolutions that “go up in smoke” after a few days, just make the one that makes all the difference in your life – for a lifetime.