Dairyland Peach , October 18 , 2020 Page 21
Pets can provide amazing benefits for seniors
Courtesy Metro Creative Connection
Pets bring much joy to the lives they touch . So it should come as no surprise that the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey , which was conducted by the American Pet Products Association , found that about 85 million families in the United States own a pet . In Canada , 7.5 million households are home to companion animals , states the PetBacker blog .
Pets offer companionship and unconditional love . While they are fitting for any family , seniors may find that having a pet is especially beneficial . The organization A Place for Mom , which helps match families with senior living residences , says pets provide a comfort system that produces measurable health results . Caring for pets and being around them can produce a chemical chain reaction in the brain that may help to lower stress hormones while also increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin .
This is not the only health benefit pets may provide . A recent study from the Mayo Clinic , which looked at 1,800 people between the ages of 25 and 64 who had healthy hearts , found that almost half owned a dog . Having a dog was likely to spur heart-healthy behaviors , like exercising with the pet , eating well and having ideal blood sugar levels .
Pets also provide emotional support and companionship that can help seniors — including those who may be divorced or widowed — feel more secure and happy . The National Poll on Healthy Aging found that , among respondents who had pets , 88 percent said their pets helped them enjoy life , and 86 percent said their pets made them feel loved .
Seniors considering getting a pet can explore the many benefits to doing so .
Reduce pain : A 2012 study published in Pain Magazine found therapy dogs provided “ significant reduction in pain and emotional distress for chronic pain patients .”
Feeling of purpose : Caring for an animal not only stimulates physical activity ,
but it also can give seniors a reason to get up and go , which equates to a feeling of purpose . Altered focus : Having a pet can help seniors focus on something other than physical or mental health issues and preoccupations about loss or aging , according to New Yorkbased psychologist Penny B . Donnenfeld .
Increased physical activity : Pets require care , and that interaction can get seniors moving more than if they didn ’ t have a pet .
Improved health : Ongoing research from Harvard Medical School has found dog owners have lower blood pressure , healthier cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease than those who don ’ t own a dog .
The organization A Place for Mom , which helps match families with senior living residences , says pets provide a comfort system that produces measurable health results .
Stick to routine : Caring for pets helps seniors maintain a routine . Having structure after retirement can be important to ward off risk of depression . Staying on top of feeding , grooming and other pet
needs also can help prevent cognitive decline .
Pets bring many benefits to their owners ’ lives and they may be the perfect remedy for seniors looking for a friend and purpose .
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Home security tips for seniors
Courtesy Metro Creative Connection
Seniors are often targeted by criminals . Though many criminals target seniors from afar via telephone or internet scams , criminals seek to enter seniors ’ homes . The Bureau of Justice Statistics offers that , between 2003 and 2013 , the ratio of property crime to violent crime was higher for the elderly and persons between the ages of 50 and 64 than it was for younger persons between the ages of 25 and 49 .
Home security is important for people of all ages , but especially so for seniors and aging individuals living alone . By following certain safety tips and developing a home security plan , seniors can feel safer at home .
• Lock windows and doors . It may seem like common sense , but failure to repeatedly lock windows and doors can , and often does , give burglars easy entry into the home .
• Think about a smart doorbell . Technology now enables doorbells to provide a video feed to a person ’ s smartphone or tablet over WiFi . This allows residents to see who is at the door and speak to this person without having to open the door . Some products like Ring ® will even register motion activity and record short videos from outside of the house .
• Don ’ t share or leave keys . Avoid leaving keys under a mat or in a flower pot . Others may be watching your actions and gain access to your home while you are away .
• Ask for ID . When service people or other individuals come to the door , verify their credentials by asking to see some identification .
• Get a home security system . The best protection against burglars is a home security alarm , states HomeSecurityResource . org . Such an alarm often deters burglars from breaking in .
• Install a lockable mailbox . Locked mailboxes restrict access to sensitive information , such as bank account numbers , sent in the mail . Make sure retirement checks or other payments are deposited
By following certain safety tips and developing a home security plan , seniors can feel safer at home .
directly into bank accounts instead of having them sent by check .
• Use home automation . Home automation , or a “ smart home ,” can be utilized to turn on lights , set the thermostat , lock doors , and much more .
• Adopt a dog . Dogs can be an asset to seniors . Dogs provide companionship and can bark or alert seniors if someone is around or inside of the home .
Home security is serious business for seniors who are vulnerable to criminals .
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