Family – Page 27

Dogs and Our Health: The Benefits of our Furry Friends

For thousands of years, dogs have been domesticated and bred to have qualities humans deemed suitable–a literal transformation from wild animal to man’s best friend. They are our companions, friends, family, and service dogs. That feeling we get when we see our furry friend jump with joy, give us a kiss (and accidentally hit us… Continue reading Dogs and Our Health: The Benefits of our Furry Friends

Hidden Population: Tween and Teen Caregivers

While the typical preteen or adolescent can be found playing sports or video games after school, more than 1.3 million young people spend their free time caring for a family member who suffers from a physical or mental illness, or substance misuse. According to a release from the American Academy of Pediatrics, these “caregiving youth”… Continue reading Hidden Population: Tween and Teen Caregivers

A New Therapy to Help with “Complicated Grief”

Targeted therapy may help millions of older women afflicted with a kind of grief that could lead to suicide. “Complicated grief,” as it’s known, affects an estimated 4 million women in the U.S. Beginning after the loss of a spouse or a close relationship, the condition can lead to an increased risk of suicide. Symptoms… Continue reading A New Therapy to Help with “Complicated Grief”

The Neurobiological Basis of Human-Pet Relationships

People who have pets often refer to themselves as “pet parents,” but how closely does the relationship between people and their non-human companions mirror the parent-child relationship? A study done by a group of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers looked at young mothers who also had dogs but here at ThirdAge we’re betting that a… Continue reading The Neurobiological Basis of Human-Pet Relationships

A Happy Wife Really Does Mean a Happy Life

When it comes to the success of long-term marriages, a wife’s happiness is more important than her husband’s, according to new research. In fact, her happiness can make him happier with his life no matter how he feels about their union. “I think it comes down to the fact that when a wife is satisfied… Continue reading A Happy Wife Really Does Mean a Happy Life

When Your Pet Has Cancer

Any pet owner who has been told their animal has cancer knows the two emotions: anxiety for the beloved pet’s life, and hope for an effective treatment. “Many people consider their dogs and cats members of the family,” says Food and Drug Administration veterinarian Lisa Troutman. “Just as FDA reviews drugs for humans for safety… Continue reading When Your Pet Has Cancer

Age Alters Immune Response to Grief

Young people have a more robust immune response to the loss of a loved one, according to new research from the University of Birmingham in the UK, providing insight into how different generations cope with loss. The study, published in September 2014 the journal Immunity and Ageing, shows how the balance of our stress hormones… Continue reading Age Alters Immune Response to Grief

The 4 Signs of A Controlling Spouse

Marriage – in fact, any love relationship – is a two-way street. Partners need to be equal if it’s to work; one partner can’t be under the control of the other. If there are control issues, though, a marriage is probably in big trouble. “In marriage, our goal is to kindle, not douse, love. Trying… Continue reading The 4 Signs of A Controlling Spouse

Meaningful Relationships Help Us Thrive

Deep and meaningful relationships play a vital role in overall well-being. Past research has shown that individuals with supportive and rewarding relationships have better mental health, higher levels of subjective well-being and lower rates of morbidity and mortality. A paper published in August 2014 in Personality and Social Psychology Review provides an important perspective on thriving through relationships, emphasizes two types of support that relationships provide, and illuminates aspects where further study is necessary.

What is “thriving”?

Gratitude Can Win You New Friends

Parents have long told their children to remember to say thank you. Now the evidence is in on why it matters.

A study led by the University of New South Wales, Australia has shown for the first time that thanking a new acquaintance for help makes the person more likely to seek an ongoing social relationship with you.

Mindfulness Training for Caregivers & Loved Ones

Mindfulness training for people with early-stage dementia and their caregivers together in the same class turned out to be beneficial for both groups by easing depression and improving sleep and quality of life. That is the finding of research done at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and published in August 2014 in the American Journal… Continue reading Mindfulness Training for Caregivers & Loved Ones

5 Questions About Long-Distance Caregiving

What is long-distance caregiving? It can be helping Aunt Lilly sort through her medical bills or thinking about how to make the most of a weekend visit with Mom. It can include checking the references of an aide who’s been hired to help your grandfather or trying to take the pressure off your sister who lives in the same town as both your aging parents and her aging in-laws.

Here, from the National Institute on Aging, are the answers to five key questions about long-distance caregiving:

Daughters, Not Sons, Are the Caregivers

Researchers at Princeton University found women appear to provide as much elderly parent care as they can, while men contribute as little as possible. The study was presented in August 2014 at at the 109th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association in San Francisco.

Connection is the Key to Positive Personal Relationships

By Lynne D’Amico, PhD

You can improve communication without improving a relationship, but you can’t create connection without improving a relationship.

Communication has been hailed as a “holy grail” to interpersonal relationships, and is routinely promoted as the way to improve relationships between spouses, children, parents, and work colleagues. As years of research show, communication is definitely an important dimension of any relationship. But communication isn’t the key to fixing relationship problems. Connection is.

Managing Dementia Related Personality Changes

Alzheimer’s disease causes brain cells to die, so the brain works less well over time. This changes how a person acts. Here, from the National Institute on Aging, are suggestions that may help you understand and cope with changes in personality and behavior in a person with Alzheimer’s disease.

Common personality and behavior changes you may see include:

• Getting upset, worried, and angry more easily

• Acting depressed or not interested in things

• Hiding things or believing other people are hiding things

Should Your Pet Take Supplements?

Our pets are like our family, right? Even pet food manufacturers now refer to “pet owners” as “pet parents” in their marketing! This humanization trend has been fueled by us Baby Boomers who are refocusing our discretionary spending on our pets rather than spending it on feathering our now empty nests. So it’s no wonder we “pet parents” are now pondering the question of vitamins and other supplementation for Fido and Fluffy. But what’s the real scoop of pet supplements? Good idea or bad?

Dating with Cancer: When Do You Share Your Diagnosis?

By Tracy Maxwell

This article, which originally appeared on DemosHealth.com, is adapted from Being Single, With Cancer.

“At what point in a new relationship is it appropriate to reveal your status as a cancer survivor?”

If you have ever wondered what the right answer to this question is, you’re not alone. Many survivors ask the same thing when dating after cancer or during treatment.