Now that you are an empty nester, what would you do without Gimley, your ‘fur baby’ – man’s best friend?
You may even be living alone, trying to figure out what comes next and Gimley keeps you sane.
You are one of the 76 million Baby Boom Generation, born between 1944 and 1964 – a generation that loves dogs.
Dogs have been called ‘man’s best friend’ since they were first domesticated, thousands of years ago. But, Baby Boomers seem to have taken it to heart more than other generations.
They make up 37% of all dog owners – a sizeable chunk of the dog-owning population.
If you are a ‘boomer’ or are related to a ‘boomer, you know their dogs are more than just a friend to keep them company as the years pile up and retirement is looming. They are part of the family.
Why Boomers Relate Differently to Dogs
Baby Boomers were welcomed into a world that was enjoying a new level of comfort. Life was different and possibilities unknown to prior generations were everywhere. This included dog companionship on a different level.
They grew up with their dogs in the home and developed strong bonds with their furry friends at an early age. The connection to pets was intense and those relationships were carried into adulthood.
The Shift from Outside to Inside
Before the Baby Boomers, dogs were primarily outside pets. You may remember the backyard dog houses. But with the Boomer Generation things changed.
Pups were kept inside and integrated into the family, which created a companionship dynamic that had never before existed.
The strong bond Boomers have with their dogs goes a long way in keeping them feeling fulfilled and sociable.
Coping with Change
The companionship and unconditional love that dogs provide helps owners adjust more easily to life changes.
The empty nest – filling the gap when children leave.
Physical well-being (staying active) – dogs must be walked, so owners get more exercise.
Mental health – there are issues that can arise as a person moves into different stages of life. The loving companionship of a dog reduces loneliness and lessens the risk of depression and anxiety
Dogs Are Social Facilitators
Boomers know that dog owners reap social benefits that do not come with other types of pets.
Dogs love to be outside, they love to run and play, and they have to be “walked” for exercise and relief. The result is dog owners tend to get out of the house several times a day and enjoy the side benefit of easily connecting with other dog owners.
A few activities that Boomers enjoy with their furry best friends:
Getting to know the neighborhood and the neighbors
Being part of a dog-walking group
Attending dog-focused events
Regular visits to the dog park
Dogs Are Good for the Heart
When it comes to heart health issues, dogs have your back. According to a nationwide study, dog owners have a lower risk of heart disease.
The researchers also found there is a link between the breed and the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Hunting breeds were related to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than any other breed of dog.
So, if you are in the market for a dog, you may want to consider a Labrador, beagle, Weimaraner, golden retriever, or bloodhound.
And . . . That’s Not all
There are many health benefits of living with man’s best friend.
The companionship and higher levels of exercise that come with having a furry friend lowers the risk of high blood pressure.
It is hard to stay stressed when you feel the unconditional love that dogs provide. Studies have found that the simple scratching of your dog’s head can improve your mood significantly.
To sum it up – dogs are still man’s best friend, just ask any Boomer dog-owner.
You are worried about what will happen to you as you get older.
You do not want to lose your independence.
Living somewhere else is not acceptable. You love your home.
It is your right to age on you own terms and in your own way
Everyone must plan for the future and how you will live as you approach your 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond. The decisions you make today can affect your health, comfort, and safety during those years.
Many people are making the decision to “age in place.”
Age in Place
The CDC defines this as “the ability to live in your own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”
At first glance, it seems like the ability to age in your home is simply a matter of keeping yourself healthy and active for as long as possible. That is an important piece of the puzzle, but not the only piece.
Choosing to age in place isn’t just about your home and your ability to remain active. It includes your connections and involvement with everything in your community.
Familiarity with your community/neighborhood gives you the confidence to move about and to engage with friends and neighbors.
I also allows for easy access to familiar health-enhancing resources like doctors (and other service providers), parks and walking trails, book club, and yoga class, etc.
Risks of Isolation
The benefits of staying at home are important, but there is a downside.
A new study at Brigham Young University shows that prolonged loneliness and being socially isolated is the health equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. While friendships and meaningful relationships with others support our immune system, reduces our stress levels, and can actually reduce the risk of developing dementia.
The author of the study and psychology professor, Tim Smith, said that the United States is facing a possible “loneliness epidemic,” revealing that more people live alone today than at any other time in recorded history.
The study’s co-author, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, states that,
“Loneliness should be considered a serious health issue. Just as one starts planning financially long before retirement, we should also consider our social resources in planning for retirement.”
It is easier to work on preventing loneliness than trying to work your way out of it.
These social resources of the choice to age in place include planning how you will stay connected and involved in your community.
Do you have a family – siblings, adult children, and grandchildren – nearby? Do you have both long-term friendships and a way to meet and make new friends?
If not, you can consider a service like Silvernest that provide ways to meet like-minded people – in this case, to make a roommate match. Having someone living in your home with you helps to create a new friendship and provides a safety net should you need help.
Home Adaptations
Now (not later) is the best time to plan and execute changes to your home that will keep you safe and comfortable.
No one likes to look at things that scream, “You are getting older,” like ugly grab bars in the bathrooms. Thank goodness the design of these features has come a long, long way. When you are ready, take the time to shop around. You can find things that keep you safe and are also aesthetically pleasing.
You may find that it’s the little things that limit you – like kitchen utensils or the height of your toilet. These can be easily fixed. There are great alternatives that people of any age would enjoy.
If you aren’t already familiar with them, check out the universal design features of OXO kitchen products, or bathrooms from Kohler that are designed well without feeling old.
Projects, like leveling floors from room to room, living on a single level, and widening doorways, are all important adaptations, but they are also more costly. This is particularly true of homes in older, desirable neighborhoods.
Experts advise that if you plan to age in your home, make adjustments while you are working and have an income to support the costs. Also, the disruption caused by home improvements is easier to live with when you aren’t recovering from an accident or struggling with a health problem.
Take an inventory of your home. Look for anything that seems annoying or limiting to you now – even in the slightest. This will only be exacerbated as you get older.
Technology for the Ages
If you have aging parents, stay on the lookout for the developments in technology that will help them stay connected and remain as independent as possible.
Apps are available for caregivers to keep you informed on their care and activities.
We live in a “sharing economy” that makes it possible to have almost anything delivered to the front door.
Ten years ago it would have been unimaginable to get into a stranger’s car or to have a roommate as you age, but companies like Uber, Lyft and Silvernest have made it the norm – and these are services you will rely on more as you get older.
The world offers many advantages that early generations couldn’t have imagined as they aged.
The most important advantage you have right now is your planning window to age in place.
With a bit of thought, you can make plans that support both your physical and mental health and keep your home the vibrant and safe place it is today.
This is an adaptation with permission of the original article published at Silvernest.com.
Eating is such a pain – especially when you live alone.
It’s too much trouble to cook; McDonald’s or Taco Bell and quicker and easier.
You are a little concerned about your choices, but millions of people eat fast food. It can’t really be that bad.
Does It Really Matter?
According to Timothy Harlan, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine, “Aging is basically a chronic inflammatory state. Can you look older because you’re eating crap? Absolutely.”
You are living in a time of unprecedented medical advances and healthy food options. You are aware of how diet impacts your quality of life and the aging process. Yet, you continue to eat “crap” as Dr. Harlan calls it. WHY????
It’s Hard to Resist
Part of the problem is the heavy marketing by food manufacturers that bombard you with “pretend” healthy foods, when in fact they are not healthy and accelerate aging.
To protect yourself from this ever-present danger and to control the aging process, you must do the following:
Be a conscious consumer
Educate yourself
Pay attention to your food choices
Always read labels
Buy and consume foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.
What if you are already old?
I have friends who say, “I’m so old, I have earned the right to eat whatever I want.” That may be true but, age is also supposed to bring wisdom. Eating crap is not wise!
Today, I am offering a list of eight foods types you should not eat if you want to age well.
I’m guessing with almost 100% certainty that many of you are consuming something on this list without realizing how bad it is for you.
Processed Meats
Any meats that are not fresh are processed.
This includes many of your favorites such as hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni, sausage, corned beef, beef jerky, canned meat, meat sauces, and most packaged lunch meats. (Read labels carefully)
Processed meats are usually high in saturated fats and filled with nitrates. The preservatives promote the formation of free radicals, which damage DNA and accelerate aging.
Also, avoid smoked meats which contain pro-carcinogenics that can cause cancer.
Trans Fats
This is the worst type of fats for your health.
Trans fat, is a type of unsaturated fat that occurs in small amounts in nature. They are found in animal-based foods, such as steak and milk. The quantities are small and not dangerous to your health.
Artificial trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are very dangerous to your health.
We first saw them in the 1950s when food manufacturers started converting vegetable oils into solids.
They are still used regularly in many processed foods. For example, margarine and other artificial spreads, snack foods, packaged baked goods (pies, cakes, cookies), and for frying fast foods (French fries, Churros, doughnuts, etc.)
Partially hydrogenated oils are a common source of trans fats. It can be found in the list of ingredients on many food labels. Always read labels carefully.
Be aware that labels can list the trans-fat content as 0, even when there are 0.5 grams per serving. Because of the unreliability of that system, it is better to look for partially hydrogenated oils on the list of ingredients.
Trans fats raise your bad LDL cholesterol levels while lowering the good cholesterol, HDL. These fats increase risks for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Fatty Meats
These are also high in saturated fats. You can eat them occasionally, but it would be smart to limit your consumption.
The best practice is to buy only leaner meats such as tenderloin cuts. Use 95% lean ground beef, or go with either ground turkey breast or ground chicken breast as healthier options.
Processed White Flour
Refined white flour has been stripped of its nutrient value with virtually no vitamins, minerals, or fats.
It is used for commercial baked goods because it is light, airy, and cheap, but it is harmful to your health.
Most of your favorite junk foods are made from white flour. Examples – white bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, pies, doughnuts, pretzels, chips, muffins, crackers, pizza crust, pie crust, and breakfast cereals.
Eat Whole Grains Instead
There are many rich and delicious whole grains available that curb inflammation – and slow down aging. You can choose from oatmeal, whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, and quinoa.
These grains are also filled with B vitamins like thiamine and riboflavin that are particularly good for your skin – an important element in controlling signs of aging.
Vegetable Oils
These are advertised as healthy. But, corn and un-pure canola oils, have undergone thorough processing and refinement, using many toxic chemicals such as hexane in the process. The result is polyunsaturated fats that are heavily prone to oxidation when eaten.
The result? Increased inflammation in the body that speeds up aging and creates a sharper decline in health.
The best alternatives are extra virgin olive oil, avocado, flaxseed and grapeseed oils. (Again, be sure to read the labels to check for purity and additives)
Pastries, Sweets, Cookies, etc.
Pastries are often consumed for breakfast or snacks because they are easy to eat on the go and easy to carry. But, pastries are the perfect storm of health-sapping nutrients, containing both high quantities of saturated fats, trans fats, and sugars. All of which speed up your body’s natural oxidative processes, making you look older, more prone to illness, and susceptible to weigh gain.
Don’t forget that extra weight accelerates aging.
If you want to be healthy and slow down the aging process, you must eliminate sugar and sweets from your diet. At the very least, they should be limited to an occasional treat or for holidays and special occasions.
This is a tough one to control, but critical to your health.
Salty Foods
Yes, salt is necessary to make foods tastier and more appetizing. Unfortunately, the amount of sodium the average American consumes is extremely high and far beyond safety levels for the body.
The FDA recommends adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams daily. The average consumption is 3400 milligrams.
Sodium dehydrates the body and increases urination as a way to normalize electrolyte levels. This leaves you thirsty and craving more and more wate – not the way the body was meant to function.
Excess sodium intake can also compromise kidney health. It causes the accumulation of toxic waste material, and may even interfere with normal bone metabolic processes.
And . . . let’s not forget the one you probably already know. High sodium intake can cause high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.
Is it worth the extra salt added to your meals – or the excessive amount of sodium in fast foods and salty snacks? Again – the choice is yours.
Alcohol
With the rise in popularity of the Mediterranean Diet, the possible health benefits of a single glass of red wine daily have been making the rounds. Sadly, the suggestion has not been kept in perspective, at least when it comes to quantity.
Many people do not have one glass per day. Instead, they opt for 3, 5 or 10. This is where things get bad. Alcohol taxes the liver more than any other substance. When the liver is overwhelmed by processing the aldehydes from excessive amounts of alcohol, it is unable to process real toxins and the body suffers.
Alcohol also has a pronounced effect on elastin and collagen in the skin, making it appear listless and saggy – indications of aging that no one wants.
When alcohol is not moderated, it causes a variety of chronic conditions that not only affects aging but also can result in premature death.
No Excuse for a Bad Diet
With the availability of healthy foods today, there is no excuse for a bad diet. It is the result of not caring, too lazy to change, or denial that how you eat affects how you look and feel.
Image by Lightsource@Stockfresh
However, the “truth is out there” and you know the difference.
Making a change in your eating patterns may be challenging, but it is worth the effort. It leads to longer, healthier, happier lives.
Choosing a healthy diet is a choice to protect yourself and your family from premature aging, susceptibility to health problems and not feeling your best.
My challenge for you is to eliminate foods that accelerate aging – and start today!
