Senior Citizen Persuasive Essay

When we get old and gray, we start thinking about our past life. Where are we now? Where are we going? Will we be happy? Will we be loved? Will we be alone? Who will care? In the years past, we have seen many different lifestyles of senior citizens, both positive and negative. The one true fact that we notice is that when a senior citizen smiles, he, or she, is happy, satisfied and will live a longer life. The point of this essay is to show how pets, either real or mechanical, will help make the lives of elderly people both pleasant and satisfying.

After retirement, the years pass fast. We are concentrating on our being able to be with our friends and family more often, without the time constraints we had during our working careers. We can stay up at night to see that late night movie and be able to talk to our friends the next day about the outcome of the fantasy love affair we watched on the electronic device.

Then the realization hits that life does come to an end. Our best friend or spouse passes away and there is no longer that special invitation to their family reunion or the special night out with the nightcap after a filling dinner. No more phone call in the middle of the night when our friend cannot sleep or when their grandchild finally has her baby. We are alone.

We turn to our family for friendship and love. Our children are grown with families of their own and even their children have families. They now have their own lives. We are not the main focus any more of someone's love and affection. Their babies are too young and have no idea how much we need them. Children are too active to know that Grandma or Grandpa would like to talk for awhile. Teens are never around and are branching out to begin his, or her, individual future. Adult children are involved with their children and grandchildren and have no extra time to give to Mom or Dad. The thought of us moving in with them makes us shudder. We cannot locate an appropriate residence nearby.

Health is now becoming a realization and depression becomes one of the many diagnoses of our doctors. Pills for our heart, blood pressure, arthritis pain and now for the depths of depression are keeping us from joining our friend in Heaven. What use is there now in our life?

As a senior citizen, there are options to consider. Trying to keep a positive attitude, most senior citizens will find and move into a retirement community. These consist of a group of apartments for seniors who want to be around people their own age but want the independence of having their own home where they can carry on their personal lifestyle. But something is still missing; the unconditional love and affection of a best friend or spouse.

Many senior citizen communities allow pets in their accommodations since the outcome of older adults thrive when they have the responsibility and the love of a companion. There are volunteer organizations and individuals who will bring a variety of pets into the senior community for the residents to interact with, and there is a huge difference in the senior's health and outlook on life.

The people who respond best in these activities are those with more depressive symptoms. (Mogul 2004).

"Healthcare professionals are becoming more aware of the important role social support plays in the lives of patients. In older adults such relationships may facilitate activity, provide a sense of purpose, and may even assist with the continued robust cognitive functioning. Research has shown that poorer social networks in older adults can increase the risk of dementia by 60 per cent (Fratiglioni et al 2000)." (Pachana 2007).

In a small study in the UK where more than half of the homes have a pet, it was found that recommendations for companion animals "need to be considered as part of individual care planning" (McColgan 2007).

When a senior has a pet, they have the good loving, caring relationship that is vital to their life. Pets have been found to reduce stress which in turn lowers the heart rate. Some may say that having a pet has "healing powers". (Hanley 2007). Researchers have found that anxiety among seniors greatly decreased when volunteers brought pets into the environment. (A dog's touch).

"Mr. Nirut introduced 'pet therapy' as an alternative treatment to an audience at Senior Happy Day 2007 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. He said most common pets - dogs, cats, rabbits, birds or fish - can help elderly people with muscle problems or mild Alzheimer's, or stroke victims, in one way or another" (Pet therapy a boon for the elderly 2007). Touching, feeling, playing, and even holding an animal strengthen weaknesses in a person's body.

There are some negative effects in maintaining the relationship with an animal companion. There was a case done in Australia where the group monitored emergency department submissions of patients 75 years and older over 18 months. Many fractures were received in the daily routine of caring for their pet; even having them around resulted in injuries. The conclusion of the study was that "Pets are a potential environmental hazard in the occurrence of fall-related injuries in older people with dogs and cats most likely to be involved." (Kurrle 2004).

There is a much responsibility that goes along with the ownership of live pets: walking the dog on a regular basis, cleaning the cat box daily or emptying a fish tank periodically. All can take a toll on a senior citizen, but the benefits can outweigh those negatives.

I have found a solution to these issues; a mechanical pet or a pet robot. A pet definitely has a positive impact on older people's lives. With a mechanical pet, there is no real cleanup and limited care. A robot pet gives the love and affection that is necessary to prolong the lives of our older people. They are devoted to each other and bring an introverted, depressed senior out into