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Advantages and disadvantages
of pet ownership for the elderly
Throughout history and all over the
world, animals have brought love,
laughter and companionship to the peo
ple whose lives they share. Today,
many doctors, social workers, and other
health care professionals believe that
companion animals are important in
helping many people lead healthy,
happy lives, especially elderly people.
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of
owning a dog, cat, bird, or other pet:
Companionship
Pets fill many lonely hours for elderly people who live
alone or feel isolated from friends and family. Round
the-clock companions, eager to give and receive love,
pets satisfy the universal human need to be needed.
Acceptance
Loyal, devoted, and utterly forgiving, animals accept
people as they are. No questions asked.
Touch
Everyone needs to hug and be hugged. A cat curled in
your lap or a dog’s friendly muzzle thrust in your hand
gives reassurance and satisfaction.
Source of activity
Animals are naturally playful and their antics are fun to
watch. Having a pet that requires daily exercise gets the
older person out into the fresh air and sunshine, too.
Responsibility
Feeding, grooming, and exercising a pet helps the
elderly establish and/or maintain their own healthy rou
tine. A pet’s dependence strengthens self-esteem and
motivation to carry out daily taskb.
Security
Pets provide their elderly companions with a very
important sense of security and will alert them when
someone comes to the door.
Promotes Mdal contact
Animals are* great ice-breakers They encourage con
versation andfivite other pet owners to share stories.
Link with Mrture
When social was mote rural, farm animals served to
remind humps of our relationship with the natural
world. In today’s largely urban, industrialized society,
many pcopleMre isolated from nature. Pets help fill the
void.
Positive rolonodcl
Animals fill for the moment. They deal with life’s lit
tle and big omtacles and then forget them. Pets can help
Hold your nose - pollen season’s back
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Itchy, wafty eyes. Runny nose. Scratchy throat.
Yellow carflOh, the joys of pollen season in the
South. ■
“Whenever something’s blooming, you’ve got
pollen ‘ said Wayne McLaurin, a University of
Georgia horticulturist. Right now, he said, oak, pine
and birch are the main culprits.
‘. “Pollen’s not all bad,” McLaurin said. “If we
didn’t have pollen, we wouldn’t have any flowers.”
Not only is pollen a flower maker and allergy
stimulator. It’s also a biological marker.
“Archeologists can tell if a desert was once a for
est by the presence of pollen ‘McLaurin said. So
don’t look for pollen to suddenly disappear. And
frankly, it’s the pollen you don’t see that’s the prob
lem.
Z “People think goldenrod in the fall gives them
allergy problems, because they see it blooming,” he
said. “But it’s really the ragweed blooms they don’t
see that cause the problem.”
; The same can be said for pine pollen, the thick,
yellow pollen seen now. Large, visible pine pollen
rarely causes allergy problems, but oak usually
does.
' “We have an explosion of pollen in the spring:’
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the elderly focus on the present and
enjoy the small pleasures that each day
brings. Animals’ innocence and
unquestioning trust can help the elderly
overcome cynicism that often results
from feeling isolated from the rejected
by society. Animals and people can
make for a great partnership. But pet
ownership in not for everyone and it is
important to look honestly at its potential disadvantages
before a person decides to share his/her home with a pet:
Costs
Some elderly people on limited incomes can’t afford
the costs of feeding, grooming and veterinary care for a
pet.
Limited mobility
Pets can hinder travel if satisfactory pet-sitting arrange
ments aren’t available.
Physical demands
Some animals require more exercise than their elderly
owners can give them. Pets that are not housebroken can
soil furniture and carpets. Uncontrolled animals can also
cause property damage to neighbors and to the commu
nity.
Disease
Although few diseases are transmitted by pets to their
owners, some elderly people in frail health are more sus
ceptible to such diseases.
Concern for animal if owner becomes sick or dies
Many people are reluctant to have a pet because they
fear that no one will take care of the animal should they
become unable to do so.
Grief over death of pet
Many elderly people cherish their pets as beloved com
panions and members of the family. When the animal
dies, its owner may be overwhelmed with a grief as
strong as if he/she had lost a human companion. For
people who are alone in the world, the death of a pet can
be an inconsolable loss.
If you are thinking about owning a pet, think carefully
about how it will affect your life. Know how you will
provide for the animal before you bring it home. Be hon
est with yourself. Don’t take a pet because someone else
feels that you should have one. And don’t let well-mean
ing but overly protective friends or relatives convince you
that you should not have a pet. You know better then
anyone else what you want and what your abilities are.
It’s your decision!
said Pam Griggs of the Atlanta Allergy Clinic, one
of two certified pollen counters in Georgia. “Then
everything will settle back down.”
To measure the pollen in the air, the clinic uses a
special sampler that raises a silicone-greased rod
into the air. After 24 hours, the rod is removed and
examined under a microscope to get the pollen
count.
In the spring, Griggs said, pollen counts of zero to
30 are considered low. Counts of 3,060 are moder
ate, 60-120 high and anything over 120 extremely
high.
The count on March 31 was more than 1,500.
That kind of pollen doesn’t just invade your eyes
and nose. It invades your house, too.
“This is certainly no time to air out your house,”
said Dale Dorman, a University of Georgia
Extension Service housing specialist. “Keep your
house closed, and turn on the air conditioner for
ventilation.”
But just keeping the doors and windows closed
may not be enough.
“There’s really no effective way to keep pollen out
of a house ‘Dorman said. “You just have to take
steps to reduce it.”
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Abby
By Abigail Van Buren
Universal Press Syndicate
DEAR ABBY: We have a problem. We just heard
from some old friends we haven’t seen in a while.
They are coming for a visit and plan to stay at our
home. They told us their arrival date, but didn’t men
tion when they plan to leave.
I am having a disagreement with my husband over
this. I say it is OK to ask our friends how long they
plan to stay. He insists that it would be in poor taste
to do so.
Horoscope
(Aries - March 21/April 20)
You get yourself into a pretty difficult situation at
the beginning of the week, Aries. Don’t try to lie;
people will see right through you. Just be honest,
and try to work out a solution. Turn to loved ones for
help. They can offer you good advice. A close friend
needs to talk. Be there for him or her.
(Taurus - April 21/May 21)
Be persistent when it comes to what you want,
Taurus. If you don’t go after it, no one else will do it
for you. You’ve got the talent and the knowledge to
be successful. An acquaintance reveals his or her
true feelings for you. Think about what you really
want before responding to his or her advances.
(Gemini - May 22/June 21)
Be patient when it comes to a business situation
this week. You’ve done all that you can; now, you
just have to wait for others to make a decision. Even
though it’s difficult, there’s nothing else that you can
do. Romance is in the air when you meet an intrigu
ing stranger late in the week. Don’t let him or her get
away. Aries plays a key role.
(Cancer - June 22/July 22)
You’re the center of attention, Cancer, but this isn’t
necessarily a good thing. A problem is placed in
your lap. Do your best to come up with a solution.
Others are counting on you. A loved one asks for
your help with a family event. Do what you can, but
don’t take on more than you can handle.
(Leo - July 23/August 23)
You are given total control when it comes to a busi
ness venture. Do your best and use sound judgment.
This is your chance to shine. If you do well, a lot of
doors will be open to you. That special someone
wants to step up the relationship. Say yes you
know that this is what you really want.
(Virgo - Aug. 24/Sept 22)
An important personal relationship has you worried
early in the week, Virgo. You want everything to
work out, but don’t know if it will. Don’t stress
about it. Just be yourself, and everything will work
out for the best. A loved one needs your advice. Be
as supportive as you can.
tO ti •, /-x i , zj .
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770-889-7889
FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS - Sunday, April 12,1»M
Who’s right?
UNSURE IN NEW MEXICO
DEAR UNSURE: There is nothing wrong with
asking guests how long they plan to stay. A hostess
needs that information in order to stock the refrigera
tor.
If their answer is “Indefinitely,” then I’d say you
have a problem.
(Libra - Sept 23/OcL 23)
You’re restless, Libra. No matter what you try to
do, nothing feels right. Take some time for yourself.
Relax, and pamper yourself. This is sure to set you
back on the right track. An old friend calls you out
of the blue. Don’t be too eager to get back into a
relationship with him or her. Remember why you
two haven’t spoken in a long time.
(Scorpio - Oct 24/Nov. 22)
Don’t let a problem at the beginning of the week
get to you. Try to stay in control, Scorpio. That’s the
only way to work things out. The person you’ve
been seeing stops calling. Don’t get discouraged. He
or she wasn’t the one for you anyway. Cancer plays
a key role on Wednesday.
(Sagittarius- Nov 23/Dec 21)
You have a difficult week ahead of you. There is a
lot to get done and no one to help you. Stay focused,
and don’t let those around you set you off on tan
gents. With a little organization, you can get it all
accomplished. A close friend needs your help with a
relationship. Give him or her sound advice. Leo
plays an important role.
(Capricorn - Dec 22/Jan 20)
Your shyness actually helps you get ahead this
week, Capricorn. An influential person is touched by
your personality and makes you a great business
offer. Take it. A family member turns to you in a
time of need. Be there for him or her and do what
you can.
(Aquarius - Jan 21/Feb 18)
Don’t let yourself get pinned down early in the
week. Someone wants you to take on a great amount
of responsibility. While you could handle it, you
have too much of your own work to do. Put your
foot down and say no. You meet an intriguing person
while running errands late in the week. He or she
returns your interest.
(Pisces - Feb 19/M arch 20
All is right with the world, Pisces. Everything is
going your way, and you make great progress in pro
fessional and personal relationships. You also get a
financial windfall at the end of the week. However,
don’t spend it all in one place. You’re going to need
it soon.
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