Relationships
Relationships are the threads that weave the rich tapestry of our lives. In this category, we explore the many connections that bring meaning, support, and joy to our senior years. From the unbreakable bonds with our family and cherished friendships that have stood the test of time, to the new relationships we form and the special connection we share with our pets, we cover it all. Discover advice on nurturing these connections, navigating changes, and celebrating the people (and animals) who enrich our lives every day.
-
Changes In Older Dogs
We change some as we grow older and so do our pets. There are ways to improve their quality of life and there might be some lessons here for us humans too. How Your Old Dog Looks We can see life changes in our pets. Approaching age seven, larger dogs often begin to grey around…
-
Do Pets Actually Reduce Their Human’s Blood Pressure?
Current research in the US, Europe and Australia suggests that people who own pets have lower blood pressure than people who do not own pets. So far, this new research is inconclusive but many of us have experienced the times when these amazing furry friends know we need them and they have a calming effect…
-
Taking Your Pet On A Trip
Years ago, when our children were small, our beautiful St. Bernard disappeared. We looked everywhere for her for hours. It wasn’t like her to leave the children as it was her personal mission to guard them at all times. We finally found her sitting in the front seat of the car. She had managed to…
-
Care of aging cats
Aging is a natural process and advancing age in a kittie is well-described by the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. How An Older Cat LooksShe may look thinner. You might be able to feel (or see) her ribs under her coat. She might have some hair matting because it’s…
-
Would A New Pup Be Good For Dad?
Deciding to give a pet to an older person needs some careful thought. It’s true that the right animal can be a great comfort, a source of exercise, and a defense against loneliness. It’s important to think this decision through. Are there allergies? Is your older person able to manage pet hair on everything? If…
-
Losing A Pet Is More Difficult for Older People
Older people experience loss more frequently than younger people. Death comes to our parents, our friends and relatives, a spouse, perhaps a grown child. And we lose things we thought we would always have; good eyesight, hearing, the limitations brought about by some chronic condition or serious illness. The death of a pet can reawaken…
-
Senior Pet Owners Live Better and Longer
Thirty years ago, researchers discovered that pets are good for older people (and sick people too.) Today, we can find beloved kitties and pups in just about every assisted living or nursing care facility. Volunteers take pets for hospital visits, and doctors even prescribe pets for recovering patients. Here’s What The Researchers Found Those early…
-
People Forget How To Make Friends
Loss is part of growing older. We lose the youthful appearance that is so highly prized by our culture, we lose some of the experiences we have enjoyed such as athletics or driving a car, and we lose eyesight, hearing, and feeling well. The greatest losses involve our friends. They may move away to be…
-
How to Tell Dad He Needs Help
There are difficult conversations ahead between us and our aging parents. No matter how close we live or how far, just the thought of these “talks” is stressful. They involve such things as losing the ability to drive, loss of hearing, and moving to assisted living. We take care of our loved ones in so…
Join the Movement
End Senior Loneliness with SILO
See practical tools, research and programs helping older adults build lasting connections.
