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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020 Page 21 S y Senior How Robotic Pets Can Help Sa a Seni BY JIM MILLER R bti P t C H l Isolated Seniors Avoid Loneliness Dear Savvy Senior, I recently read an article about robotic pets being a great substitute for pet-loving seniors who can’t have or take care of a pet any longer. What do you think of this? My mother, who has some dementia, is living in an assisted living facility that doesn’t allow pets. And because of COVID, we haven’t been allowed inside the facility to visit her since March. I’ve been thinking about getting her a robot pet to help cheer her up but would like to know if they are worth buying, and if so, where can I go to fi nd one. Locked Out Daughter Dear Locked Out, There have actually been several studies on this topic that has shown that robotic pets – which are lifelike interactive pets – can have a positive impact on many lonely, socially isolated seniors, especially those who have dementia. This is particularly important now as the pandemic has caused millions of high-risk, vulnerable seniors to isolate as a means to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Here’s what you should know. Robotic Pet Studies In 2018, the New York State Offi ce for the Aging was the fi rst state in the U.S. to test the robotic pets with isolated seniors and results showed that using pets to lower social isolation was highly successful, with 70 percent of pilot participants reporting a decrease in isolation after one year. Subsequent programs done in aging agencies in Alabama, Florida and Pennsylvania have also shown positive results Other clinical studies conducted by AARP, UnitedHealthcare, and other clinicians and have also found that robotic pets can help to enhance the well-being and quality of life of lonely or isolated individuals and those living with dementia and other forms of cognitive decline, by providing a level of interaction and comfort from a lifelike companion. Where to Look If you’re interested in getting your mom a robotic pet, a top option is Ageless Innovation’s Joy for All Companion Pets – see JoyForAll.com. They off er cats, a kitten and a pup that look, feel and sound like the real thing – minus the feeding, watering, litter box or backyard cleanup, and the vet bills. With prices ranging between $65 and $130, these soft, plush animals have built-in sensors, “vibrapurr” or “barkback” technology and brushable fur, making them surprisingly realistic. Insert four batteries, and the cats, which come in four different shades to mimic real breeds, can open and close their eyes, lift their paws, and move their head and body. If you pet them in the right spot – like on their belly or back side – they’ll let out a purr. If your mom is more of a dog person, you can also buy a stuff ed golden puppy, accessorized with a red bandana, that will bark if he’s feeling happy, sad, or needy. At only four pounds, the stuff ed pup is easy to play with and won’t weigh down even the most fragile frame. Some other robotic pet options you should look into include Tombot’s Jennie ($399; tombot.com), a lap dog that barks on command and has realistic facial features; AIBO ($2,900; us.aibo.com) by Sony, which is a plastic puppy that has lifelike expressions and a dynamic array of movements; and Paro the Seal ($6,120; parorobots.com), which is marketed as a “carebot,” designed specifi cally for people with dementia. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior nir ior HILL ROLL | FROM PAGE 17 maintain life-supporting equipment “to enable the physician performing the abortion to take appropriate steps, in keeping with good medical practice and consistent with the procedure being used, to preserve the life and health of a live birth and the patient.” The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) and supported by Rep. Alyson Sullivan (R-Abington) would require the facility to maintain life-supporting equipment but also mandate that the doctor use the equipment to preserve the life and health of a live birth baby and the patient. “In Massachusetts, we require healthcare be given to terrorists who are injured, like the Marathon Bomber,” Lombardo told Beacon Hill Roll Call. “We certainly should continue to require that physicians give healthcare to innocent babies when born. It’s shocking that Beacon Hill has become so radical that the left now supports removing the healthcare requirement for babies born alive surviving an abortion. It’s barbaric and it’s infanticide.” “The Lombardo amendment is based on false claims, dangerous myths and lies,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, Executive Director NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. “It has absolutely nothing to do with how abortion care actually works. The goal of their amendment is obvious—to shame women seeking abortion care, foster mistrust of physicians who provide compassionate care and put abortion care out of reach all in an attempt to control women and pregnant people’s bodies. The House overwhelmingly defeated the amendment because they know it is irresponsible and shameful to ignore science and spread medically inaccurate information.” “I am saddened and disappointed in the results of yesterday’s House debate regarding the required care and treatment of a child born alive during an abortion,” said Rep. Sullivan. “The language as written and passed by the House, is ambiguous on its face, subject to broad interpretation, and fails to describe clear and objective criteria for what needs and should be done, to preserve the life of the baby.” “[Our amendment] would make it crystal clear, that not only do facilities that perform abortions need to have lifesaving equipment in the room during an abortion but importantly, that equipment and other medically necessary intervention must be used to preserve the life of a live birth,” continued Sullivan. “Our amendment, if passed, would have ensured every live birth be aff orded the dignity and the right to life, inHILL ROLL | SEE PAGE 25 City of Everett Seeks Candidates for Assistant City Clerk The City of Everett is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant City Clerk. Everett Residents to Apply The primary duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: • Performs such duties as the City Clerk may assign; • Shall report directly to the City Clerk; • Has primary responsibility for all licenses and permits approved by the City Council and/or issued by the City Clerk’s Office; • Performs research on issues pertaining to licensing, vital records and legislative matters; • The Assistant City Clerk serves as the City Messenger; • The ability to work long hours, nights and at times on weekends; • The Assistant City Clerk is authorized to assume the responsibilities of the City Clerk in his absence; • Perform supervisory responsibilities as required by the City Clerk; • Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The preferred qualifications for this position are as follows: • High school diploma or equivalent; • Experience in municipal government; • Excellent customer service skills; • Previous supervisory experience; • Ability to maintain record keeping systems; • Ability to perform detailed, research-oriented tasks; • Ability to operate standard office equipment and computers; • Knowledge of applicable software applications, including Word and Excel; • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deal effectively with interruptions, often under considerable time pressure; • Ability to learn and implement the requirements of the laws and regulations regarding vital records as they pertain to the Office of the City Clerk; • Ability to develop a working knowledge of the legislative process and ordinances and charter of the City of Everett; • Strong written and verbal communication skills; • Ability to perform assigned tasks with minimal supervision. Qualified candidates shall be interviewed by the members of the City Council’s Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections, who may recommend their preferred candidate. The chosen candidate shall be appointed by vote of the City Council at the City Council meeting at which the appointment appears on the business agenda. Starting salary is commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should forward their resumes and cover letter to: By mail: Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections c/o City Clerk Everett City Hall 484 Broadway, Room 38 Everett, MA 02149 By Email: You may email your resume to michael.mangan@ci.everett.ma.us Resumes will be accepted up until 5:00pm Wednesday, January 6th, 2021. The City of Everett is an Equal Opportunity Employer. December 23, 2020, January 1, 2021

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