Pets love unconditionally. They are devoted to us at our best and our worst. Whether it is a canine companion, a colorful feathered friend, or a frisky feline, animals bring joy and improve quality of life.

In the search for assisted living for a senior loved one, adult children may quickly realize how much the cost of care varies between communities. It also becomes apparent that the options for financing assisted living can be confusing.

The influenza virus poses a serious health risk to seniors. In a typical flu season, older adults account for 70 to 90 percent of flu-related deaths and 50 to 70 percent of hospital influenza admissions. Taking steps to avoid it is crucial.

Assisted living is a type of care seniors and their families might not know much about. While it’s one of the most popular types of senior care, there are many myths about it. Some believe it is just a more attractive version of a nursing home, and others think you must be wealthy to afford it.

Often, family members caring for an elder with Alzheimer’s worry whether they are truly meeting their loved one’s needs. The disease is complex and causes changes that can be hard to cope with. And, it can be tough to communicate with a senior with Alzheimer’s disease who may have lost much of their traditional communication skills.

The benefits of exercise and a healthy diet are well documented. Most of us hear them repeated by our primary care physician. In recent years, researchers have identified another negative behavior that plays a vital role in healthy aging: sitting too much. It is so important that some experts refer to a sedentary lifestyle as the new smoking epidemic.