Benefits of Owning a Pet

Here at Sixty and Me, we know just how much living with an animal can improve your life, and we’ve written before about the benefits of owning a pet as an older adult. Many people choose to buy their animal from a breeder, but there are plenty of other ways to adopt deserving pets. Read More

By now, it’s pretty clear that the evidence shows that having a pet is a great idea for many seniors.

Beyond the “soft” benefits of owning a pet – like unconditional love and emotional support – animals can be great for your health. For example, according to this study, owning a pet may significantly reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Read More

When we are planning a vacation, or any kind of trip for that matter, we typically plan for all sorts of situations.

What clothes do we need to include for everything we want to do? What snacks do we want to keep within our grasp? Do we have enough of our prescription medications for the entire time we will be away? The list goes on. Read More

“I said I’d take a dog, but I’m not sure I want that one.” “He’s a real sweetheart,” Brittany, a staff member, assured me. He was big with the smushed-in face of a bulldog, but the height of a boxer. He had a barrel chest, and his front legs were shorter than the back ones making his back bow in the middle. Truth is I was a little afraid of him. Read More

As retirement approaches, the opportunities to embark on voluntary work become increasingly appealing.

But what to do? If you are not going to get paid, it has to be something you enjoy, something you feel passionate about and, hopefully, something that will give you a new perspective on life. Read More

As many of us have learned the hard way, life after 60 can be a bit lonely. This is especially true if, like me, you have made the choice to live by yourself. Read More

I’ve always been an animal lover. For most of my life, my family has had dogs, cats, mice and an assortment of other creatures, common and exotic. Now, as a single woman in her 60s, I often consider getting a new dog. I imagine playing with her in the park. Read More

I never thought much about the benefits of having a pet until my little Chihuahua, Chica, died. She was the most wonderful little dog. She used to pull books off the shelf for me when I had something on my mind. Her selections were surprisingly relevant, although I wasn’t too keen on the bite marks. She kept me company, gave me plenty of exercise and gave me someone to talk to when my family wasn’t around. Read More