The calendar reveals only one major observance for today. It is a highly meaningful one for those who are invested in our pets. This is National Pet Week. Allowing for a time to observe how special and central to the lives of seniors our pets are, today and this week give us occasion to “spoil them” even more. It may be a practice in which we overindulge. But somehow, our connection to our pets, particularly traditional ones, gives meaning and pleasure to us that is found in few other ways.

When they crawl alongside us just to be near, it is a moment of pure joy. When they put their head on our hand to remind us to pet them, it is an experience of unrivaled affection. When they look longingly at us and the door, reminding us, with a slight whimper, that is time for a walk, it is a nudge we can’t resist.

During a recent recovery from an uncomfortable illness, I discovered watching Travel Shows with an emphasis on international cuisine. The discovery helped not only the recovery, but inspired interest in foods, not previously enjoyed. Kind of like making lemonade from lemons.

The experience of traveling to exotic and intriguing cultures is itself a feast. But adding to that becoming acquainted with foods and spices, mixtures and montages of colorful and luscious tastes and new experiences for the palate is like exploring the bottom of the ocean. I never knew such wonders existed.

It is a very reasonable question. After a lifetime of accumulating, one can say, if they dare, hoarding all kinds of things that seemed, at one time, to have meaning and purpose loses its meaning and purpose. That time has come.

When I catch myself rearranging the shelves to accommodate more or make it more attractive, the nudge comes: “Why are you still hanging on to this stuff anyway?” Oh, an occasional visitor will “ooh and aah” over various pieces. Collectors, like me, live for such. Or they will, as when visiting antique stores, say “I had one of those as a child.” Not much of a reward for all those years of dusting and arranging, and packing and moving all that stuff sundry times.

Some of it, admittedly, has some value. How much, I’m not sure. It is an undertaking to sort through and research what it

It is hard to imagine that special attention has to be called to an issue such as “Elder Abuse.” It is difficult to realize that some people are guilty of taking out anger and hostility toward an older person. Or, for that matter, a younger one, a pet, a spouse, a child bullied on the playground, ad nauseum. And, it is unfathomable to realize that such appeals must be raised in order to set boundaries around such behavior. But, so it is.

This is one of those months when shining the spotlight on horrific acts of malice of one toward another is emphasized. It is one of those occasions when, it seems, persons who claim to be civilized need to be jerked up into the reality of what abusive words and acts and behaviors and insensitivities toward others can do.

While uninvited, it is possible and quite predictable that a senior may be struck with several ailments or physical conditions at once. When this happens, one of the attendant dynamics is heading off the depression and difficulty that comes with dealing with such a deluge.

For some, it may more likely occur during the winter or colder months, when infections and illnesses seem more frequent. However, as we age there are physical dynamics that seem to move in and proliferate at other times as well.

Assume, for example, the invasion of an intestinal disorder, which persists and requires continuing treatment and efforts at preventing dehydration. A double whammy. Or, with that a surgery procedure required by a specialist that will

Drug side effects can be common with seniors. They come, often because a well intentioned physician believes that the particular medication will address a peculiar medical need. This happened not long ago when a patient was prescribed a med that was supposed to offer relief and control of behaviors related to dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms.

She went bazooka, off the wall, antagonistic. It was not a pleasant moment for her, her caretakers, her family or any one caught in the experience. The lesson, both for physicians and caretakers, move cautiously toward agreeing to the use of a prescription which may have very troubling reactions. If unusual behaviors ensue, be ready to discontinue the med as quickly as possible. Listen to the patient and caretakers. Be aware of behaviors that are unusual and threatening.

Originally published in March 1998, this article was authored by Mary Ficklen who was a free lance writer. To the best I can conjure, it appeared in a paper in Dallas, Texas. She, at the time, lived near Desdemona.

“Old Dr. Snodgrass did not learn my name. I was the last of the baby Browns he delivered.

Among old family papers was his note to A.C. Brown for a “girl delivered, 1885′ and a “boy delivered, 1888, $5 each.

He delivered my father, and my father insisted that he deliver his first child, me. My mother was still angry about that when I carried my first child.

Looming out there ahead of Baby Boomers are several very big issues that will come to occupy your time, attention, resources and patience. If your DNA is similar to many these days, your parents, at least one of them, will live into their 90′s and perhaps beyond. Read the obits and you will find more and more persons whose age is clocked in the 90′s when they die. And, often, it is the upper 90′s.

This is not to decry the joy of having your parents live a long life. It is to say that with their doing so come demands you may not have expected. Those demands come in the shape of caretaking, costs, and intentional decisions that will enable them and you to be prepared and buttressed with backup plans.

Some, when retiring, make their choices on an availability of structured activity and a lot of it. There are numerous retirement communities who market their entire program on a multitude of available things to do. One even downplays its homes, although quite upscale, just because there are so many other things to keep you involved and occupied.

For persons who crave connection and contact such locations are just the ticket. They usually come complete with several golf courses, recreation centers, clubs of every type and variety, organizations, hobbies, and so on. One does not lack for something to do every day of every season.

Time comes when seniors give consideration to the last move. Your retirement home, no matter how desirable, is just too large. The escalating costs for keeping it up and meeting its maintenance obligations continue to proliferate. Family, for whom it was built in part for their occasional visits, don’t come around much. So, why is it we hang on to where we are, a house full of a life time of collections, furniture, objects ‘d art, ad infinitum? Last week alone, the hot water heater and washer both went wanting for the so called “lonely repair man”

The indictments seem to pile up regularly. The time to go to court and face the “music,” is drawing ever nigh. Mixed metaphors perhaps, but the truth is there somewhere.