Companionship is one of the most important necessities in life, like shelter and food. Having someone to talk to or attend outings with can make for better, happier days. Sometimes, though, the best companion is a furry, feathered or scaly friend to cuddle and care for. While owning a pet or interacting with an animal may not be possible for everyone, older adults can still gain the benefits of pets through robots.

I love to watch black and white movies from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. However, a darker side of those entertaining musicals, dramas and screwball comedies is the way smoking features in the storyline.

That depiction of smoking was accurate for the time. According to a Gallup poll, about 45 percent of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes, cigars or pipes in 1954. Nowadays, people are more aware of the health risks of smoking. Recent statistics from the CDC indicate about 15.5 percent of adults smoke cigarettes.

Depression in older adults is not uncommon, yet there are many unfounded myths about it. Let’s dispel three of these, because believing them can delay or prevent timely treatment.

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There’s no place like home. You can probably envision that classic scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy closes her eyes, clicks her heels together and repeats the line until she’s wakes up in her bed at her farmhouse in Kansas with Auntie Em by her side. She’s relieved to be back at home – a familiar, comfortable place close to family and friends.

You may have heard about the power of music for those with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. But, did you know music is also beneficial for people living with other chronic conditions, such as Parkinson’s? Here are three ways music can improve the life of a person with the neurodegenerative disorder.

For older adults, gardening can be beneficial to their overall health and well-being. While some seniors may not have access to a garden or be unable physically to plant and weed, they can still enjoy the beauty and health benefits of indoor plants, specifically those that purify the air inside homes.

Caregiving for a family member is like taking steps into the ocean. At first, the water playfully splashes against your toes – it’s a quick errand or medical appointment with your loved one. Then the waves come with greater force and urgency – your loved one needs daily reminders for medications or has a fall and breaks a hip. Before you know it, the water is nearly up to your head – your loved one has advanced Alzheimer’s or another chronic health condition requiring around-the-clock care.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that develops slowly over time. About 10,000,000 people around the world (including 1,000,000 in the U.S. and 55,000 in Canada) live with Parkinson’s. This is a long-lasting condition (up to 20 years) that has no cure. However, medications and therapies are available to help people manage their symptoms better.

My office has a sensor that turns the light off after a prolonged absence of movement. The light sometimes switches off while I am busily clicking my computer keyboard. Yes, I’m working but seemingly inert. My usual response to “lights out” is to wave my arms above my head. Sometimes I just keep working in the dark. What I really should do is get up and move.