One of the worst aspects of getting on in life is the prospect of loneliness. We all lose people who are close to us and losing a long term partner or wife, or husband, can be the most traumatic event of our lives. As we get older and elderly problems begin to make an appearance in our lives; one of the most effective comforts available is the friendship given freely by a dog or a cat.
Dogs can be life companions. So many pets left behind when partners die provide an amazing depth of comfort to the grieving survivor. They are one of the more loyal and faithful species and will go to any length to protect their owners, even if they receive only a modicum of attention in return. For someone with elderly problems, a dog can provide an irreplaceable companionship.
Dogs traditionally require exercise and in this respect can provide a great incentive for boomers and elderly legs to stretch every day instead of vegetating on a couch somewhere…the secret to an active older age is staying supple and mobile. Walking a dog each day is enough exercise to provide an aging frame with the movement required to help keep elderly problems such as arthritis and stiff joints under control.
People with elderly problems who have recently been bereaved sometimes choose to take in a dog for company. If you are considering getting a dog and you are quite elderly, bear in mind that a very small puppy might represent quite a lot of work. Small puppies require house training, will need routine trips to the vet and might actually chew your slippers!
On the other hand, there are so many beautiful older dogs, some of whom might themselves be recently bereaved, who would appreciate a loving home and be grateful for the warmth not only of your fireside but also your affections. Additionally, small puppies are likely to survive you and be left without a home.
Take the time to consider whether you should adopt a puppy or a more mature doggy friend. If you have the means to secure a loving home for your puppy after you have gone, there are some advantages in adopting a younger dog, not the least of which is that a younger animal will probably outlive you, giving you companionship for the rest of your life.
A dog can be the means of re-establishing a routine in a life rendered lonely by bereavement and elderly problems. The necessity of caring for a living creature, although it cannot replace the affections of a lost partner, can provide activity in a life that otherwise might feel empty and purposeless.
Doggy companions are a vital part of life for many elderly people who feel they are unable to face old age alone. They are the loyal friends who stick by us through any disaster, including pain and death.
The Companion at Your Knee How Dogs Can Provide Comfort in Old Age is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of baby boomers psychological coaching tips and how to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.
Boomer Yearbook is a Social Network and Psychological Articles for Baby Boomers. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join other Baby Boomers to stay informed, receive weekly Newsfeeds, and let your opinions be heard. Baby boomers changed the world. We’re not done yet!
Tags: baby boomer dogs, Elderly Problems, Psychological Articles