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Elderly People and Animals By Morgan Elderly people who have pets go to physicians 16% less. We all know that pets are cuddly, fun and enjoyable for kids, but elderly people can benefit from the comfort of animals too. Animals are being seen more often around hospitals and health care homes and people are wondering what the purpose is. The truth is that animals can help the elderly re-start their lives again and even help them if they are sick. Elderly people find comfort in animals. People feel scared, worried and anxious when they either go to or are in the hospital. Scientists have been doing many studies over the years and have found the key to making all the anxiety go away: animals. At first they thought it had something to do with the brain, but later discovered it had nothing to with the brain, it had to do with the animals’ kind nature. At first people were opposed to the idea of having animals interacting with the elderly and sick because of fear of them hurting the patient. The exact opposite happened. When they brought the pets in, they proved to reduce the anxiety and fearfulness in patients, mainly in the elderly ones. The animals helped promote the physical, social and emotional health in the elderly. The animals don’t necessarily have to be four legged, it could be a bird or even a fish. Having a fish tank during dental appointments or oral surgery will reduce the anxiety in the patient. When elderly people are in the hospital they usually feel stress, loneliness, fear, and pain, but when they bring in a pet, it has been proven that all the bad feelings are replaced by new happy ones. Having the animal there allows the patient to focus on the pet rather than on themselves and their pain. Hospitals also use pets because they can sniff cancer, and epilepsy (a nervous system disorder).They can also sense seizures, plus they keep the elderly happy company while they are there. Elderly people have been showing more enthusiasm towards treatments because they are focused on the animal’s happy energy. Pets have shown to be a key component in nursing homes as well. Can these animals not only make the patients’s stay happier but also reduce their time in the hospital? Animals don’t only bring elderly people happiness; they can also help them overcome serious sicknesses or even prevent them from happening. People ask how animals can manage this magical quality. It has been proven that animals can improve “quality” of life and even human health. People that feel isolated, or alone or recover quicker when they are happy and comfortable. Animals are known to help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, relax respiratory patterns, increase physical motivation, decrease pains, encourage speech, make patients more receptive to treatments, and increase the will to live all with a couple of stroke through the soft, lush fur or feathers. These remarkable achievements are becoming more evident in other places like pet stores. Kal Kan Pet Foods said that they have been writing prescriptions for pets that have owners who are sick, lonely, depressed and stressed. This means that there has been a significant increase in elders going out because they want to care for their pets, which in turn is healing a lot of people. It has been proven that elderly heart patients have three times better chance of survival if they own a pet rather than just sitting in the hospital. They have the greater chance of surviving because the animal motivates them to become more active, happy and may increase their will to live. Pets don’t just help the elderly get better, they also play a large role in them re-starting their lives again, healthier and happier. Most elderly people don’t think about re-starting their lives, but most who have pets don’t realize that the animal is actually helping them. For elderly people a big thing in starting over is remembering the past, and trying to change something about it or doing something they never got to do. Animals have a quality that will spark those old memories and may help bring elderly people back to reality. For some elderly people to succeed in life they need someone who will always be there for them, a source of constant companionship and non-judgment. Another big part in starting over that animals help with is building elderly peoples confidence and self-esteem which can help with maintaining a positive attitude and not slipping into a state of depression which is common for elderly people. Animals have a special quality that adds a sense of safety, protection and comfort which a lot of elderly people starting over need. It also provides them a feeling of sureness which in turn will motivate people who were once afraid to move forward. With this new found confidence, the elderly people become more active by walking their pets or going to the park. This has more than just one benefit, just going outside for ten minutes can increase their will to go places, increase their social skills and even help their bodies receive nutrients that you can get outdoors like vitamin D. Animals help the elderly emotionally as well as physically. Pets help people that are lonely or mourning a loss fill the void of that person and help them start living again. Elderly people who have been in the hospital for awhile are feeling isolated and have forgotten the act of responsibility, seem to change by having a pet. The animal gives them a chance to care about someone and take care of them. One major thing animals do in starting over is improving “quality of life” and “quantity of life.” Elderly people are not the only ones being impacted by animals; physicians are seeing a change too.

When elderly people are sick or need help, they usually go to a physician or a doctor. Physicians usually tell the patient what is wrong with them and how it can be treated. For some elderly people this trip makes them uneasy or frightened, which could cause them to resist the treatment even more. The physicians are seeing more and more animals coming into their offices with patients than ever before. Physicians are seeing a decrease in patient numbers because elderly people who have pets are seeing a decrease in blood pressure, and heart rate just by focusing on the pet’s needs rather than their own. Physicians are often up front and sometimes harsh about certain things, which elderly people take harder than younger people do. This is where the animals are being more helpful and succeeding. When the physician delivers the bad news, the elderly person usually goes to the one person that they know will not judge them and always be there, their animals. Their soft, warm, open, selfless nature helps them clam down and it even puts everything into a new, better perspective. In recent surveys of elderly people and their pets some shocking results showed up. It was proven that elderly people who have pets go to physicians 16% less and elderly people with dogs go 21% less. This shows just how much animals have impacted elderly people.

Animals have a huge impact in the lives of everyone, but have a tremendous impact in the lives of the elderly. From bringing happiness, helping sicknesses, re-starting their lives and even helping make fewer trips to the physician. The animal’s also family members to spend more time with the elderly people in their families and allow grandparents to spend more time with their grandchildren. Elderly people have regained their lives back and animals have been there every step of the way because elderly people find comfort in animals. Bibliography "Animal Assisted Therapy: A Premise And A Promise." N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2010. .

"Therapy Animals." Suite101.com, n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2010. .

"Animals and Elderly people." N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2010. .

"Netting, Companion animals and the Elderly." N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2010. [].

People cope with death By Kyle Kostesky May 27, 2010

Loss usually produces intense feelings of grief and depression. During a death the way people cope with the death can cause many different symptoms. There are different ways people cope with death.

During a death people cope with it differently. Most elderly people will feel some way responsible for the death. The way people should help is by giving social support. People such as family, children, peers, informal relations and neighbors can all help with the coping of death. The elderly person that lost a loved one can go through many symptoms such as denial that is where he or she will not accept the loss of the loved one. Guilt is when he or she is feeling they should have done something to help the diseased person. Shock is when he or she will not be able to talk or move and will not believe the death happened. All of these symptoms still mean people are living with grief.

Many people live with grief of a dead loved one. A person’s reaction of grief is influenced by their relationship with the loved one. Grieving is vital to the survivor’s health. Many people grieve differently, some people become very busy so they can take their mind off of the loss. Others will become depressed and withdraw from their peers. It is natural to experience grief when the loved one has died. Survivors can also allow themselves to grieve, its best not to avoid taking about the loved one to a friend. There are many ways to help survivors to stop living in grief of the loved ones.To help others with the same problems.

If a survivor is living in grief there are possible ways to help get over the grieving process. Mourners could seek help from other people, they could talk to a therapist and they can also express their feelings to family members. Sharing the sorrow with others is also a good way to help the mourners. The survivor should know that life is for the living not the dead. If people are giving comfort the mourner should take the comfort in and not share false feelings.

Death can lead to many things, but there are ways to cope with the death. If the mourner is grieving there are ways to help them get through the process. It is okay to go through the grieving stage it is natural but you should also seek help from other don’t just close them out.

Bibliography people coping with death [] [] [] []

Spending Time Together with Your Family. By Keegan Ann Robinson May 13, 2010 The number of meals a family eats together is dramatically declining, and this is causing serious problems for the youth. Teenage girls make up the fastest growing group of new smokers. Many teenagers who don’t eat family meals develop bad habits, such as smoking. Families who eat together show more benefits from spending time together at meal times. Matthew Gillam did a study to examine how many family suppers occur and to measure diet quality. He surveyed 8,677 girls and 7,525 boys, all between the ages of 9 and 14. His results said that 17% of the participants never or rarely ate family meals together, 40% did on most days, and 43% did every day. More than half of the 9 year olds ate dinner together with their families on most days where as only one third of the 14 year olds did. Studies also show that parents can develop many life skills in their children at meal time. At meal time parents can help kids with their social skills and teaching them manners. Parents can also take, the time to give their children attention, and talk to and listen to their kids. Meal times together also create many positive family memories. Other studies show that half of the families eat dinner at least 5 times a week together and only one third of families eat 3 meals together per week. A study with 1,987 teenagers from the ages of 12 to 17 showed that 61% ate dinner with their families at least 5 times a week. The National Longitudal Study of Adolescent Health had 18,177 participants and the results said that 48% ate 6-7 meals a week together and 30% ate 3 or fewer meals a week together. A study done by the Project of Eating Among Teenagers that surveyed 4,746 teenagers had a final conclusion that 35% ate 5 or more meals together in the past 7 days and 33% had 0-2 meals together in the past 7 days. These facts may be shocking but they are worse for single-parent families, who have a tough time eating meals together with their family. The amount of single-parent families is increasing rapidly. In 1960 only 9% of families had one parent, but as of 2003 this number increased to 28%. When single-parents are raising teenagers it affects many family meals because they need to acquire a job to support their kids. In 1950 34% of single women with children between the ages of 6 and 17, were employed in the labor force. Of these mothers 70% worked full time, which allows less time to prepare family meals and to eat the meals with their children. A disadvantage of being a single parent with a job and teenage kids is that the parent has little time to talk and listen to their children therefore they can’t monitor their child’s moods and behavior. They also are not fully aware of where their children are and what they are doing. Lack of supervision could lead to many bad habits such as drug and drinking related problems. Teenagers may have many bad habits but one of the most crucial difficulties is not eating breakfast. Many teenagers do not enjoy getting up for school, so they don’t have much time to get ready, forcing them to occasionally skip breakfast. A total of half of male teenagers and two thirds of female teenagers have reported that they do not eat breakfast on a regular basis. The problem is that many parents allow their teenagers to skip breakfast because they are not fully aware of what some effects of this are. Eating breakfast helps teenagers avoid bad eating habits such as eating too much junk food. When children don’t eat breakfast, it may lead to an unhealthy adult lifestyle. Encouraging teenagers to eat breakfast improves their school grades, reduces hyperactivity, decreases absences and kids being late for school, improves social skills and helps to control their moods. Eating breakfast also increases metabolism, which helps with weight control. One way to encourage teens to eat breakfast is to create a morning routine for them so they get used to eating breakfast every day. Another way to encourage breakfast is to add something that they will enjoy eating like a smoothie or a fruit. Parents can also try putting breakfast on the table, all ready, so they just have to eat it and not take the time to make breakfast. Because most people can’t eat family meals together, if they eat breakfast together then it will strengthen their family bonds.

Many families don’t have the time to spend quality time together. Families who eat together show more benefits from spending time together at meal time. Families may not have the time to eat meals together, which could lead to some side effects that aren’t healthy. If families are unable to spend time together at dinner then they should try eating breakfast together because it will help strengthen their family memories and bonds. Most teenagers don’t enjoy eating breakfast therefore causing some unhealthy side effects. Single parent families have a very hard time spending time together so that is why it is very important to be able to have meal times together with their children. By eating together with your family parents can lead children to a healthy long lifestyle. Bibliography

"Arch Fam Med." //Archives of Family Medicine//. Jama & Archives, 2000. Web. 13 May 2010. .

"A Perspective of Family Meals." //Perspective of Family Meals:Do They Matter//. Nutrition Today, 2010. Web. 13 May 2010. .

"Healthy Habits." //How to Get Your Teens To Eat Breakfast//. About.com, 2010. Web. 13 May 2010. .

"Teen Bad Food Habits." //4 Bad Food Habits Teens Have and What Parents Can Do About Them//. About.com, 2010. Web. 13 May 2010. [].

Abuse Is Not Tolerable By Janice

35% of girls and 16% of boys between grades 7-12 have been sexually or physically abused. Abuse is too common in family households and more kids are being verbally, physically and emotionally abused. Abuse leads to many problems and effects. Family abuse is not tolerable because it affects children in many ways. Name calling, put-downs, and negative comments are all examples of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is part of every kind of abuse, physical, verbal, and neglect. It has many physical and behavioral effects. After being emotionally abused, most kids go through speech problems, eating disorders or attempts of suicide. More behavioral effects are low self-worth, depression and engaging in risky behaviors. Of course there are many more effects and problems caused by emotional abuse. The effects of emotional abuse are long lasting and can have an impact on victims for the rest of their lives. One incident of physical abuse in a person’s life can result in a huge impact and can affect the child for the rest of their life. Even if a child is abused, when they are close to the abuser, they feel more betrayed than anything. If a child is being abused, they deal with it in many different ways. Victims might use humor to cover it up or start being negative about everything. Also some might turn against themselves. For example some abused children will start harming themselves by cutting and burning their bodies. Other victims may act out towards their peers. When a young child is being abused, some of the effects are lack of trust, stealing, difficulties in school and profound sadness. Older victims more often attempt suicide, ran away, never cry or always cry. Regardless of age, physical abuse is intolerable. Another abuse that is not tolerable is neglect. Neglect abuse is one of the worst kinds of abuse. It makes the child feel worthless and unloved. It impacts the way the child thinks and how they interact with their peers. Neglect affects the child’s learning abilities, which causes their academic performance to deteriorate. Child neglect is a huge problem as shown by a study done in 1994-1995. The study showed 74% of children were being neglected and 100 children died due to neglect. Neglect is one of the greatest threats toward the child, they way they are, who they are when they grow up and how they will raise their children. Neglect affects both males and females in a life changing way. One out of six boys has been sexually abused. If a boy is sexually abused, they somehow feel guilty for it. They feel embarrassed when an older man sexually abuses them, they might think they are homosexual. They fear the negative judgment of their friends or family. If a boy is abused, they are given less care and support than girls. Female victims are much more likely to be sexually abused. A big risk of sexual abuse for female is an unwanted pregnancy. Even if a female that is abused does not get pregnant she might feel worthless and be embarrassed. These feelings often stop female victims from telling someone about their abuse. One study found that 75% of females did not report their sexual abuse experience. Abuse is a serious problem in all areas and it really needs to be discussed more. People need to realize that if someone is being abused that it is not the victims fault. More awareness will encourage victims to speak about their abuse and stand up for themselves.

All abuse is negative and has many different effects. Emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect are very serious problems and children go through many different emotions in all abuse. Family abuse is not tolerable because it affects children in many different ways. Boy and girls are both abused and are equally terrible and wrong. No children deserve to be abused and needs to be to put to an end.

"Child Abuse Prevention." //Abuse statistics//. British Columbia, 13/05/2008. Web. 21 Apr 2010. 

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence." London, Ontario,, n.d. Web. 21 Apr 2010. . "The Effect of Domestic violence on children." //Effects of Abuse on the Childern.// N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2010. . "Child Abuse Affects." //Emotional Child Abuse.// Darlene Barriere, 2009. Web. 20 May 2010. [].

Adolescent attached to the Alcohol use
 * By **
 * Daniel Miranda **
 * April 27, 2010 **

Alcohol is the choicest drug for the youth. Almost 80% of adolescents are drinking alcohol. Kids start to drink alcohol during their high school and college years. About 5000 young people under the age of 21 died because of underage drinking in a year. This year average age to start drinking at this time is 14 years old and there are a lot of effects for them. They are more likely to engage in risky behavior, like using marijuana and cocaine, have sex with six or more partners, and earn failing grades in school. Alcohol affects younger adults in many ways and society needs to develop alcohol prevention programs.

As young kids move into young adulthood they encounter physical, emotional and lifestyle changes. Influence by others, puberty and increasing independence are reasons why adolescents use alcohol. The biggest influence for kids is their friends and most likely their family. Most of them drink because they think that drinking alcohol is part of being an adolescent. There is a lot more risk of alcohol problems for the kids if their parents are alcoholic than to other kids whose family members don’t drink too much. No matter why young adults drink, there are always risks.

Effects of alcohol on adolescents are health problems, including brain effects. Alcohol is very harmful to the brain, it critically damages the developmental stage of adolescent. Also alcohol affects the long term of memory and learning skills of people who drink heavily during their younger years. During puberty, alcohol also affects the growth and endocrine hormones of the body. Puberty is the period in which the rapid growing and development of teens’ bodies occurs. Alcohol may upset the normal development of organs, muscles and bones. It also affects the maturation of the reproductive system. Because of alcohol effects we need programs to prevent teen drinking.

The information about underage drinking seems so bad, but still there are programs that need to be approved to prevent the increasing rate of the underage drinking alcohol. These programs include raising the price of alcohol – high taxes of these products means less people who consume. Increasing the minimum legal drinking age can reduce crashes and save lives especially to younger drivers. Family prevention programs help parents to

// BIBLIOGRAPHY //

Jones, Bonnie. "Underage Drinking." //Alcohol Alert//. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Publications Distribution Center P.O. Box 10686, Rockville, MD 20849–0686, November 3,2004. Web. 19 May 2010. .

"Alcohol Abuse." //National institute of national abuse and alcoholism//. National Institute on, April 2, 2010. Web. 19 May 2010. .

Elderly People Cope With Death in Many Different Ways By Jeremy D. Miller

Death has always been a hard thing to cope with, especially for the elderly. Elderly people have to deal with the loss of loved ones that theyve known their whole life. Some people would spiral into a pit of grief and dismay, without the will to do anything. Others would pick up the pieces of their life and move on, into the great unknown of the future. Elderly people cope with death in many different ways. One of the hardest things someone can go through is losing a loved one. Whether a husband or wife, a best friend or a family member, the mourners are going to be distraught. They may even think it was their fault they died and that they had let them down. Anger, despair and sadness are all astoundingly common feelings for mourners. Being “frozen” or without the ability to move or think is also common. In fact, being frozen is one of the most common and difficult symptoms of losing a loved one because it starts as soon as you’re alone. No matter how much you try, you’re never finished all the things that both of you did in a day and this can lead to physical stress and fatigue. Of course there is nothing that can compared to the feelings after the state of shock has passed and you‘ve accepted that the person is really gone. The weeks and months following the death are the hardest to put up with. Loneliness leads to isolation, and depression leads to suicidal thoughts, all of the feelings getting worse as time goes on. Almost everyone experiences roll loss after they’re alone, roll loss being when a married person is widowed and they are forced to do the things that both had done before the loss. Thus gaining the role of the deceased. Role loss is one of the worst symptoms amongst married elderly couples because no matter how much a person tries, they never finished all the things that both of them had done in a day. Trying to do everything, leads to physical stress or injuries and fatigue which is the elderly’s worst enemy. In fact studies have proved that death of a loved one is a key factor in the physical deteriorating and death of the widowed. As much as the mourner may believe They are unloved and life is a bust, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Death isn’t all about grieving and loneliness. One sure fire way to numb the pain and move on is to talk about it. There are social support groups in almost every town, village or city that is able and willing to help. If you can’t find one or you do not want to go to it, then simply, talk to your family. The family wants to be happy and to move on! When finally the mourner is comfortable enough to continue on living their life, one important factor of recovery is to socialize to take their mind of things. Take part in activities that involve talking to people and making friends. Also continuing to do things that were done before the loss, helps to prevent withdrawal, which is a serious problem when trying to recover from loneliness. Socializing and talking to others are positive and healthy ways to cope with death. Death doesn’t have to be about mourning and depression, or sadness and anger, although most of the time that’s what it involves. Death is a time to look back and cherish the moments spent with loved ones and for looking ahead into the great unknown. What is known for certain is that the elderly cope with death in many different ways.

Bibliography

Issac, Mohan. "Coping With Loss." //Sunday Magazine//. The Hindu, 18th October 1998. Web. 13 May 2010. [].