Friendly cats and dogs are a blessing to everyone, including people with Alzheimer's disease. (Getty Images)
Dear Joan: I was reading your story about Catness, an 11-year-old male kitten, and wondered if he still needed a home. His uncle and I would be happy to adopt him if necessary.
My uncle has Alzheimer's disease, so I think maybe Catness and Uncle Frank could be good for each other. Please tell me if he actually still needs a forever home.
— Jessica McGilson, Boca Raton, Florida
Dear Jessica: Catness, whose owner can no longer care for her, has indeed found a new home with a loving couple. She has had several people offer their support and she would like to thank them for doing the same.
But perhaps you should consider something closer to home and adopt a cat or dog for Uncle Frank. Research has shown that having a companion to care for, cuddle and socialize with a pet can be beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease.
There are a few things you should keep in mind before bringing your pet home. First, make sure Uncle Frank wants a pet, and that dog barking or cat meowing doesn't excite him.
Will Uncle Frank be solely responsible for caring for and feeding the pet? Depending on the stage of Alzheimer's disease, you may not be able to care for the animal. You may need someone else to provide the care you need, such as trips to the veterinarian.
My mother had Alzheimer's disease. She knows being a caregiver is incredibly difficult. Especially because she knows that people's life expectancy is getting shorter. You need to be realistic, knowing that your pet may outlive your loved one. You need to be able to continue caring for your pet.
On the positive side, pets can provide a source of joy for loved ones. It helps them access love and empathy. There is ample anecdotal evidence to strongly suggest that pets extend lifespans, slow mental decline, and make final days happier, and this applies to everyone, not just people with Alzheimer's disease.
For those who cannot own a pet, it may also be beneficial to arrange for someone to bring the pet for visits.
Good luck to you and Uncle Frank.
Dear Joan: There are many bats around my house. It doesn't bother me and I know it helps reduce the number of mosquitoes in the summer, so I'm glad to have it.
At certain times of the year, they can be seen almost every night, while at other times they can go weeks or even months without being seen.
Do bats migrate or hibernate during the winter?
— John J., Alamo
To Joan: I never thought bats could migrate, but they do. Or at least most bat species do.
In California, bats return in the spring. Some bats travel just a few miles from where they spent the winter, while others return from more than 1,000 miles away. Most young bats born before the first migration also return to raise their own families.
Bat populations across the country are in decline, in part due to a deadly fungus that is spreading westward from the East Coast. Wind turbines also kill many bats. The rotating blades create a low-pressure zone that can rupture the bat's eardrums and lungs.
Animal Life runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.
