Whakatū whāinga ā muri i te māuiuitanga Goal setting after illness when you are older

People who set goals generally do better in their rehabilitation than people who do not.

If you have spent time in hospital, the hospital team may help you decide on and work toward specific goals. They will review these before you leave hospital, and they might also help you set goals for when you return home. You need to decide what you want to achieve from your rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation begins in the hospital, and continues in the community, sometimes with the support of community teams. 

It is important you set both short and long term goals. Short term goals are the building blocks to achieving long term goals.

A long-term goal might be: I want to go back to living independently.

One of the short-term goals to achieve this might be: I want to be able to go to the toilet by myself.

Decide on goals in different areas of your life.

Physical rehabilitation

• regain movement or strength
• walk without equipment
• stop smoking

Family and household

• do housework
• see whānau
• cook
• do gardening
• pay bills
• use the phone

Social and recreational

• return to your usual groups or activities
• play music
• knit
• travel
• play cards

Work related

• return to work
• complete study
• writing
• use a computer
• use specific tools
• drive

Decide on specific, measurable goals, for example:

• I want to be able to collect the newspaper from the gate every morning.
• I want to attend my granddaughter's wedding in March.
• I want to be able to drive to my social or recreational club.
• I want to be able to shower and dress independently every day.

• Prioritise your goals so that you can focus on what is most important to you.
• Set some target dates to achieve your goals.
• Plan what you need to help you achieve them. Think about who else or what else you need to support you to reach your goals.
• Tell your healthcare provider, whānau and friends about your goals so they can provide support. They might also have some ideas on other ways to reach your goals.

Remember that things do not always go to plan. Be adaptable, and keep in mind you might have good days, and other days when you might feel tired or that you are not improving fast enough. Focus on what you have achieved so far.