Wellness doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of steps you take all year long. To help you start, we’ve put together a calendar of things you can do each month to focus on wellness in 2025.

January

Lots of people join (and quit!) gyms during January. But you don’t have to hit the gym to be physically active. Your ArchWell Health center offers fitness classes year round. And even a stroll around the mall is better than nothing. Before you start a new fitness regimen, be sure to talk with your doctor.

What to do:

• Schedule regular wellness visits.
• Caregivers: Remember to schedule your own wellness visits too.

February

February is American Heart Month and the time for Valentine’s Day. Show your love by learning the symptoms of heart attack and stroke, as well as CPR. It can double or triple the odds of survival.

What to do:

• Get your blood pressure checked.
• Caregivers: Earn bonus points by learning CPR.

March

This month is National Nutrition Month, but eating right should be a year-round commitment. As we age, our bodies need fewer calories but more nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and protein. ArchWell Health’s Nutrition Education program helps you tailor your meal planning and grocery shopping to your unique needs and goals.

What to do:

• Talk to your doctor about which foods are right for you.
• Caregivers: Help your loved ones by incorporating nutrient-rich foods into their meals.

April

April is Occupational Therapy Month, a perfect time to learn how occupational therapists contribute to wellness. These health professionals can help you manage daily tasks and learn to prevent falls, which is crucial since a quarter of older adults experience falls every year.

What to do:

• Talk with your doctor about daily tasks you’re having trouble with.
• Caregivers: Your in-home observations can be especially helpful here.

May

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you’re feeling anxious, depressed or just a little blue, now’s the time to take action. ArchWell Health’s social workers can help you address your mental health challenges. Whatever is happening in your life, don’t go through it alone!

What to do:

• Ask your doctor to connect you with the social worker at your ArchWell Health center.
• Caregivers: Mental health is important to you, too. Talk with a counselor if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving responsibilities.

June

Make your home safer this month is honor of National Safety Month. This is a great time to check your home for problems like loose rugs and missing light bulbs. The National Council on Aging offers free guidance online, including a room-by-room checklist, to help you identify and fix potential hazards.

What to do:

• Take proactive steps to ensure your home is safe.
• Caregivers: Help your loved one address any safety concerns at home.

July

This month we mark UV Safety Awareness Month. It’s a reminder that sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, most often diagnosed in adults over 65. Protect yourself by using sunscreen, wearing a hat and long sleeves and avoiding sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (daylight saving time).

What to do:

• Schedule a skin cancer screening if you have a higher-than-normal risk.
• Caregivers: You can help your loved one by learning to spot the signs of melanoma.

August

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, so it may be time to roll up your sleeves. Nobody likes getting shots, but vaccines can prevent suffering and even death. The shingles vaccine, for example, is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles, and you can get the vaccine even if you’ve had shingles before.

What to do:

• Review your vaccination list and talk with your doctor about those you’ve missed.
• Caregivers: There’s a list for your age group, too.

September

This month marks Healthy Aging Month, a reminder that aging and health can go hand in hand. ArchWell Health offers numerous programs to help you become more physically, mentally and socially healthy. Check the calendar at your local ArchWell Health center.

What to do:

• Talk with your doctor about any barriers that are holding you back from enjoying life to the fullest.
• Caregivers: Support your loved ones by discussing their health concerns and encouraging them to seek the help they need.

October

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so you’ll see lots of pink ribbons. These ribbons remind us that breast cancer affects more women than any other cancer except skin cancer. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early when it’s easiest to treat.

What to do:

• Schedule a mammogram as needed, and talk with your female loved ones about getting one, too.

November

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, shining a light on the third most common cancer in the U.S. If you’ve ever smoked, ask your doctor whether you should get screened. Early detection can increase your survival odds by 63%.

What to do:

• Talk to your doctor about lung cancer screening.
• Caregivers: Remind and support your loved ones in scheduling their screenings.

December

This month is chock-full of winter holidays and year-end celebrations. After a year of working on wellness, take a break to celebrate.

What to do:

• Enjoy your time with family and friends. Just savor your holiday treats in moderation!
• Caregivers: Ensure your loved ones enjoy the festivities safely by helping them maintain a balanced routine and monitoring their well-being.