Adult dogs are a much better choice for the elderly because all they want is to do is lie in your lap, lie by your side and be loved. And one walk a day can be sufficient. On the other hand, if you get a puppy and you're elderly, the dog will have an energy level that won't match yours. When a dog has energy that's not being addressed, it becomes destructive. But if you adopt a dog that's eight or ten years old, it will still have several years of life left. At that time of its life, it's all about gratitude and easy loving.