50s Lifestyle

Pets reduce spouse loss impact

THE companionship of a pet after the loss of a spouse can help reduce feelings of depression and loneliness in older adults, according to a study published in The Gerontologist. The study examined depressive symptoms and loneliness among people aged 50 and older who experienced the loss of a spouse through death or divorce. In fact, those who had a pet and experienced the death or divorce of their spouse, were no lonelier than older adults who didn’t experience one of those events.

THE companionship of a pet after the loss of a spouse can help reduce feelings of depression and loneliness in older adults, according to a study published in The Gerontologist. The study examined depressive symptoms and loneliness among people aged 50 and older who experienced the loss of a spouse through death or divorce. In fact, those who had a pet and experienced the death or divorce of their spouse, were no lonelier than older adults who didn’t experience one of those events.