The month of January is historically a time to reflect on the previous year and set goals and resolutions for the coming year. It’s a time to examine different aspects of our lives and look for areas that may need change. Examining these areas of our lives is also known as evaluating our quality of life. The quality of a person’s life can be vital to their overall well-being; therefore, it’s fitting that International Quality of Life month is celebrated in January.
Quality of life is often referred to as an individual’s perception of where they are in their life in relationship to their own aspirations, goals, values and beliefs. Health and wellness, safety, education, finances, work environment, relationships and social status are common areas that are evaluated when looking at quality of life. Given that individuals have different values and personal beliefs and that priorities change throughout our lives, quality of life will differ from person to person and as we go through different seasons of our lives. It’s important that a person is able to define what they want their quality of life to look like and work to identify areas they may want to improve upon.
As we age the prioritization of our life can also change. Where finances, social status and education were a top priority, perhaps overall health and wellness, access to care and personal relationships may be of greater value now. Consider the following questions to help you determine where your own quality of life falls:
- Are you happy with your physical and mental health?
- Do you have illnesses or health issues that are not managed?
- Do you have enough energy to accomplish all you need to do in a day?
- How much do you enjoy your life as it is today?
- Are you happy with your relationships or are there individuals you prefer to spend more or less time with?
- Do you feel safe in your home?
- Do you feel you have access to the healthcare you need? Access to food and transportation?
- Do you feel your life is meaningful?
- Are there areas in life you would like to improve upon?
These are a few questions a person can ask themselves to assess their own qualify of life. Consider taking a few minutes during the month of January to ask yourself some of the above questions. If you find you are needing more help doing daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning or are having a hard time paying for items such as prescriptions or food, consider reaching out to our care coordinators at VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services. Our care coordinators are nurses and social workers who work throughout the Diocese of Camden helping to connect individuals with services available in their own community.
Visit the website at: https://vitality.camdendiocese.org/ or call the Resource and Referral line at: 1-888-268-4825 to learn more.
