Pets do more for us than just keep us company. They also provide us with many health benefits. According to The Centers for Disease Control, regular walking or playing with pets can decrease stress, and lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The companionship that pets provide also can help manage loneliness and depression.

Mayo Clinic studies have found that pets help reduce stress and anxiety in medical patients, increase the survival rate for heart attack victims, and help increase the appetite of underweight elderly patients.

Dr. Julie Sheil of Cleveland Veterinary Acupuncture in Cleveland Heights (216-630-1450) noted that having a pet helps increase the quality of life for her senior clients who live alone or have chronic health issues. Pets also help maintain their owners’ health. “Clients have told me, ‘If it weren’t for my dog, I would never leave the house,’” said Sheil.

Dr. Linda Mitchell of Rainbow Veterinary Clinic in Cleveland Heights (216-291-3931) said that pets provide valuable unconditional love that helps one feel connected and secure. Many of her clients can’t imagine not having a pet. “A client in her mid-80s lost her cat and was devastated,” said Mitchell, “but she soon adopted another one.”

Adrienne Brockway, owner of Animal Zen in Cleveland Heights (216-402-6513), a company that provides various services for pets, has observed that her senior clients are especially diligent about taking care of their pet’s health, and that seniors and their pets have strong bonds. “When we pet-sit for seniors,” Brockway said, “they let us know all of the animal’s likes and dislikes.”

If you are thinking about adopting a new pet, make sure to choose one that you are able to take care of, and that is safe for you. Some dogs pull too hard when they are being walked. Some dogs and cats walk between legs or lie on the floor, becoming a tripping hazard. It may be difficult for some seniors to reach up to clean a bird cage, or bend down to clean a cat litter box.

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation recommends that one research the specific needs of the animal before making a decision.

Some questions to consider are: What does the pet eat and how much does it cost? How much exercise does the pet need? What else does the pet need to stay healthy? What is its personality? How large will it become? How much will veterinary care cost? Am I able to properly care for and clean up after the pet? Will neighbors complain? How long will the pet live? Who will take care of it if I no longer can?

The physical and emotional benefits of living with pets are many. The right pet will not only enrich your life, it will also help you stay healthier.

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For baby boomers who are planning to retire in the near future, good physical health is essential for being able to fully enjoy this next phase of life. Being proactive about maintaining good health can help us thrive in our “golden years.”

The Mayo Clinic recommends that we educate ourselves about the natural changes that are common during this period of our lives, and be as proactive as possible in preventing changes we may prefer not to go through. Preventing these changes will help enable us to continue living independently at home, continue driving safely, and reduce the risk of dangerous falls.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “It’s never too late to make healthier lifestyle choices.” Following are recommendations the clinic suggests to reduce, and often prevent, the common changes of aging:

Heart health: As we age, our heart rate can slow down, and vessels and arteries can become stiffer. Recommendations for maintaining a healthy heart include daily physical activity, a healthy diet, not smoking, reducing stress, and getting 7–8 hours of sleep each night.

Bone and joint health: Bones shrink and weaken as we age, muscles lose strength, and we have a harder time balancing. Recommendations include getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, daily physical activity, not smoking, and not abusing alcohol.

Digestive health: Constipation is common among older adults. Recommendations include a high-fiber diet, drinking enough fluids, daily physical activity, and not resisting the urge to have a bowel movement.

Urinary health: Incontinence can occur as we get older. Prevention includes maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, doing Kegel exercises, and avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine, acidic foods, alcohol and carbonated beverages.

Memory health: Memory loss and fogginess are common as we age. Prevention includes daily physical activity, a healthy diet, not smoking, keeping blood pressure at a healthy level, staying mentally active, and keeping up with social interaction.

Vision and hearing health: As we age, our eyes have more difficulty focusing and become more sensitive to glare. Our hearing diminishes and we have trouble hearing higher pitched sounds, and following conversations in a noisy room. Prevention includes wearing sunglasses on sunny days, wearing hearing protection when around loud sounds, and getting regular eye and ear checkups.

Skin health: Our skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more fragile with age. We tend to get dry skin, wrinkles and age spots. Prevention includes bathing in warm (not hot) water, using mild cleansers and moisturizers, using sunscreen, and not smoking.

Weight health: As we get older, muscle mass tends to decrease and fat takes its place. Prevention includes daily physical activity, a healthy diet, and practicing portion control.

Sexual health: Desire, enjoyment and performance ability decline as we age. Talking with your partner and doctor about your concerns and options can help you find solutions.

Always consult with your doctor to develop the best and safest plan for your present health conditions as well as your future goals. It’s never too late to make changes to help ensure a healthy retirement.

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The beginning of a new year is a natural time to take stock of our lives and resolve to make positive changes. However, many of us fall short of achieving those changes, and the resolutions just get added to our list again next year.

According to Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist and Harvard Business School professor, we fail to achieve our resolutions because we tend to set unreasonable goals for ourselves, thereby setting ourselves up for failure.

The Mayo Clinic advises that, in order to be successful in achieving our goals, we need to make a specific plan for achieving them. It offers this five-step approach:

1. Aspire: List your goals.
2. Effort: Think about the effort it will take to reach each goal, and decide practically whether you are able to make that effort.
3. Plan: Write down the steps you will take daily or weekly to reach each goal, as well as how you will handle barriers and setbacks.
4. Prepare: Take the action needed to get started.
5. Work: Follow your plan and make it happen.

Forbes magazine recommends keeping your list simple (making it short and attainable), tracking your accomplishments (making a chart or list and posting it where you can see it), and continuing to believe in yourself (don’t let failures derail your efforts).

According to the AARP’s 2014 New Year Goals and Resolutions Poll, getting more exercise was at the top of the list of resolutions that senior adults made last year.

The Huffington Post reports that as we age our exercise achievement drops. While 1 in 1.7 people age 18–24 get the recommended amount of weekly exercise, that number drops to 1 in 2.5 people for those age 65 and older.

If getting more exercise is on your list, take advantage of the many opportunities in our area to do just that. The Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center (216-691-7377) offers numerous exercise programs, including yoga, line dancing and strength training. The Hillcrest YMCA in Lyndhurst (216-382-4300) offers senior exercise programs, including Zumba Gold, yoga stretching and aerobics.

Whatever your self-improvement goals are for this year, resolve to break the cycle of resolving. Right now, before you turn the page, write down three action items you are going to take within the next week to begin achieving your resolutions. If you should fall short, remember that failing today does not mean you can’t try again tomorrow. Keep trying and eventually that resolution will be a new lifestyle rather than a number on a list.

Happy New Year to all of our readers!

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.