Keep your pet safe
over the holidays
You always thought that once the children were
all grown up, you could fi nally give free rein to
your imagination and go crazy with the decora-
tions. But, perhaps you forgot to take your pet
into account.
That’s right; even with pets, it’s important to
follow some safety rules in order for the holidays
to be a success.
First, your Christmas tree poses several risks. If
it is natural, ensure that your cat doesn’t drink the
water, and keep it well away from fallen needles.
Also ensure that the tree is stable and won’t fall
over if your cat suddenly decides to jump into it.
After all, you don’t want the tree falling over and
injuring your beloved pet.
Tree ornaments also pose a threat to the health
of your pets; they can suffocate a pet, or damage
its intestines if they are swallowed.
Avoid using tinsel icicles and make sure any
dangerous ornaments, such as artifi cial snow and
small decorations, are inaccessible. In addition,
keep dogs and cats away from strings of lights,
as they could electrocute themselves by chewing
on them.
Finally, opt for plastic ball ornaments rather
than glass ones, which are easily breakable.
Position poinsettia plants out of the reach of
animals, as they are toxic.
Also, be careful
where you set up
candles, and never
leave them burning
unattended.
Sweets, leftovers,
alcoholic
drinks,
ribbons, and small
toys can all be dan-
gerous if ingested by
your pet.
Sure, you can still
decorate your home
and entertain guests,
but be sure to take a
few precautions to
keep your fur babies
safe.
Time to Focus on the Joys of Life
Combatting isolation and loneliness
Solitude is a state of mind that can be positive,
when it’s desired, but when it turns into isolation and
loneliness, it can become unbearable. Unfortunately,
many seniors reach this point and don’t know what
to do about it.
Combatting isolation is vital, as it can have a
negative impact on the lives of seniors, including
increased anxiety, depression, food and sleep dis-
orders, suicidal thoughts, and an increased risk of
developing a chronic illness.
Isolation has many causes. When a spouse dies,
the surviving partner often isolates himself or her-
self for fear of becoming a burden to their families.
A change in living accommodations can also lead to
a similar reaction.
To counter this type of situation, family members
and friends should take concrete action. Both regu-
lar and unplanned visits and telephone conversations
help to break isolation.
Talking about day-to-day happenings, and asking
how the senior is getting on can do a world of good.
Organizing family dinners where the different
generations can spend time together is another solu-
tion. Seniors appreciate the company of children as
well as that of adults.
It is also advisable
to encourage seniors
to register for activi-
ties that allow them to
mix with people of their
own age, such as bridge,
dancing, or gentle exer-
cise classes. Weekly ac-
tivities will ensure they
have more active social
lives.
Zootherapy is another
solution. The presence
of an animal in the life
of a senior is an ideal
complement to human
contact. Whether it’s a
new pet of their own, or
visits from family mem-
bers’ pets, a little cuddle
now and then can bring
a lot of sunshine into a
senior’s life.
Senior Connections HJ.COM
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