Uncle Bob is an amazing man for many reasons. He continues to counsel people starting up small businesses. He makes toys, and other things, in his woodshop as a hobby. He has to remind himself to slow down because he forgets that he is 91.
Last year he started to take trips to all the places he's wanted to go, but hesitated because my aunt wasn't up to it, including cruising to Alaska, and taking a paddleboat ride on the Snake River to follow the Lewis and Clark trail.
When he was about 80, his knees were giving out. It was very painful for him to walk, and he thought about knee replacement surgery. His doctors discouraged it because of his age (probably figuring it wasn't worth it, he wouldn't be living that much longer anyway.) But by 85 he decided to do it and that gave him new impetus to step out and never look back.
Last year he moved into an assisted living facility, not because he needs assistance, but because he was alone in a 4-bedroom house and thought it would be prudent to set himself up for the future. I visited him in his new place. Most of the people around him were much less mobile than he was. Some weren't all together there mentally. Uncle Bob remarked that although many had led active lives, they ?retired? to play golf and didn't know what to do with themselves when golf was no longer an option. Uncle Bob never retired; he stopped working for pay but never put himself out to pasture.
I became increasingly uneasy and realized that I was up against all those things that we (I) usually ward off: the knowledge that I will become old, and perhaps helpless and infirm. The knowledge that one day I will die. The knowledge that one day I might be unable to take care of myself.
These realizations make us uncomfortable and cause us to live in denial, resisting planning for times that we know will come. The uncertainty comes from not knowing exactly when we'll need help, or what state we'll be in. (Sort of like the government and the levees in New Orleans.) Not thinking about it doesn't mean it won't happen, it just means that we will be less able to cope when it does happen.
The lesson I took away from this is that, God willing, I will be 91 one day, and although I don't have control over the future, the decisions I make about my life NOW will affect how well, or ill, I am living THEN. It really brought home to me that what I do today has consequences for tomorrow.
Ask yourself these questions: ?Are you living in a way that promotes health? ?Are you keeping your mind active and challenged? ?Are you giving of yourself to other people? ?Are you living each day as fully as you can (This isn't the same as packing in every possible activity and chore you can think of.) ?Are you free of regrets? ?Are you paying attention to your spiritual life? ?Are you living for today, but also making plans for tomorrow? ?If you are in recovery, are you pleased with your recovery and where you find yourself today?
If you can't answer ?yes? to these questions, consider what adjustments you want to start making NOW so that when you're 91 (or so) you don't look back and wish you had done things differently.
As cats grow old, their bodies change internally as well as externally. Almost all body systems are affected by aging. Lifelong activity leads to joint inflammation or osteoarthritis, which can stiffen and slow cats as it does humans. Important physiological functions taken for granted over the course of a decade may start to slow or malfunction. Kidney disease is a common affliction of old cats, as is hyperthyroidism (an oversecretion of thyroid hormone due to cancer of the thyroid gland). Each of the senses deteriorates eventually, leading to impaired vision, hearing, and abilities to taste and smell (which may, in turn, result in decreased appetite).
While the physiological changes of older cats can often be detected through blood and urine analyses and other quantitative tests, behavioral changes may be difficult to measure. The brain is paradoxically both the most complicated and the most poorly understood of all body systems. Like any other part of the body, it is susceptible to the long-term deterioration of aging. Recent recognition of cognitive impairment in old dogs and cats has led to an increased understanding of this surprisingly common problem. Cats, like dogs, people and other animals, begin to show some degree of memory loss and disorientation as they grow old.
Although there are individual differences, elderly cats can seem confused and can show that confusion or cognitive impairment in characteristic ways. Many cats, for example, will begin to urinate or defecate outside the litter box. They may jump off their owners laps rather than sit for petting, or might pace through the house yowling loudly for some unidentifiable need. Such behavior changes have long been dismissed as normal aging; there is evidence, however, that the degree of physical change in old brains corresponds with the degree of impairment, and that some animals age more successfully than others.
How can you best prepare for the changes your cat may experience as she ages? First, talk to your veterinarian about his or her particular program for older pets. Many veterinary hospitals already have in place a senior pet program to accommodate their large population of aging patients (and, of course, the higher the quality of veterinary medicine, the larger this population will grow!). At some point, screening tests for blood chemistry (including kidney function), urine, heart and thyroid function are advisable, as well as close monitoring of body weight and condition. Depending upon your individual needs, your veterinarian may suggest more frequent visits (for example, two or three times rather than once per year). In addition to physically measurable changes, be sure to discuss behavior changes including litter box habits, appetite and any signs of confusion or irritability. Establishing a baseline (for example, at the age of 9 or 10 years) for both physical and behavioral health is an ideal way to keep track of the changes that may appear in time.
Given the physical limitations that accompany aging, it is often helpful to make simple accommodations before they are needed. An additional litter box or two, perhaps close to your cats preferred resting area, is usually appreciated and used. Extra grooming can compensate for tired bones and stiff joints. A soft bed on the floor may be more accessible than that old perch on the sofa back. With some care and attention, your cat can age happily and with the same quality of life she has always known.
Both Martha Ruske & Tristan Andrews are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Martha Ruske has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Nutrition and Home Improvement. Martha Ruske is a marriage and family therapist in California. She currently works with people in long-term recovery from alcoholism, helping them step out into the fuller life they deserve. Find out about the benefits of recovery life coaching and get. Martha Ruske's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Tristan Andrews has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Education and Collection Agencies. Tristan Andrews writes useful articles about and kittens. Discover and explore the feline world. Find out how to better care for, train and live with your. Tristan Andrews's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.