If ownership is not an option, interacting with pets even for a brief moment can be therapeutic. If you’re considering the use of animals to help an aging loved one, see if pet therapy is the right approach.

What is pet therapy?

Life as a senior can be challenging. From deteriorating health to the loss of a spouse, the golden years can be anything but. Although adult children may be available to care for an aging parent, it can still be difficult to provide the help they need.

Pet therapy, also referred to as animal-assisted therapy, uses pets for companionship. Its purpose is to improve a senior’s social, emotional or cognitive well-being. Animals are brought to the elderly in a variety of different settings. These include retirement homes, nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centres. There is also the option for animals to visit a senior’s home occasionally.

How is pet therapy beneficial?

Pet owners, in general, tend to feel less lonely and stressed. They also visit doctors less often and recover more quickly from illness.

It’s because of these reasons that doctors began experimenting with animal-assisted therapy for the elderly. For this demographic in particular, pet therapy is beneficial in the following ways:

• Pets can encourage seniors to get more exercise and spend time outdoors since dogs need to be walked often
• Many seniors who are unresponsive to other treatment tend to be chattier and more open with their pets
• Specially-trained animals can help seniors improve their motor skills

Many of the benefits stem from the fact that animals make good companions. Apart from friendship, pets can also improve a senior’s self-esteem and encourage social interaction.

Seniors also tend to feel comfortable around animals. That’s because animals do not talk back and therefore are non-judgemental.

Seniors can get much-needed exercise if the animal has a lot of energy to burn, and there is increased activity from walking, petting and brushing the animal as well. Meanwhile, you’ll often see pet therapists get creative with the activities. Seniors can even be swimming with dolphins or riding horses during their treatment sessions.

Do pets undergo special training?

Yes, the pets used in animal-assisted therapy must have obedience training. The pets must also be sociable and friendly since they are required to meet new patients regularly. They’re also trained to work with seniors who are in wheelchairs, crutches and other mobility aids.

How do I find a pet therapy program?

Your local healthcare network should have a number of resources to help you find a pet therapy program for your loved one. Ask your family physician, the hospital or nursing home for guidance. You can also ask someone at your local pet store or municipal health department for details.

Before buying a dog or cat, it’s important to ask your aging relative first how they feel about owning a pet. This is a huge responsibility and is only encouraged for seniors who are relatively healthy. Even if your loved one is able to take care of an animal now, many dogs (like dachshunds) are known to live up to 16 years!

If pet ownership is not an option, see if your loved one would consider a dog or cat visiting a few times a week instead. Remember, even brief periods can be enough to make a difference!

To learn more about senior care, call C-Care Health today at (416) 724-2273 or contact us here.

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According to Dana Carns, Director of Advancement for St. Augustine Health Ministries, “They both give residents something to look for, to care about, to love on.” Several years ago, Oreo, a black and white feline, wandered into the nursing home and found her way into the hearts of staff and residents alike. “Oreo found us,” Carns stated. Now Oreo and Coco have an important role in improving the lives of residents.

Valued Members of the Team

Although Coco is a valued member of the team, Oreo outshines her furry counterpart in many ways. Oreo often greets visitors and takes it upon herself to provide love, comfort, and entertainment where she sees fit.

She is not a lap cat but “she loves to have her head scratched,” Carns explained to the Huffington Post. “Residents, staff and the children from our early learning centre look for Oreo,” she added. “Oreo is just another example of the love you often find in a home.”

Oreo is sometimes found lounging about but has an important role to play when it comes to the well-being of our residents.

Carns noted that there are times when residents bring their own pets with them to the campus. It does not often work out, however, because it is difficult for most of the animals to adjust to the new, busy environment.

Carns added that it is hard for some residents to take care of an animal on their own. Oreo and Coco are a welcomed alternative for residents who want to have pets but cannot take care of them. Pets are becoming more and more common in nursing homes and similar facilities. “I’m not sure if Oreo was in need of us or we were in need of Oreo,“ Carns said. “But she’s a great addition to the family.”

Animals are Therapeutic

It is not uncommon for residents in nursing home facilities to experience loneliness, depression, and anxiety, among mental health issues. These feelings often result from the loss of their independence and declining overall health.

Oreo and Coco play a special part in alleviating some of these conditions. Most would agree that pets are great companions, but pets provide more than just companionship for the elderly and disabled. Healthcare professionals have taken notice of the many benefits that pet companions provide. They have noted that pets can:

• Reduce anxiety and stimulate memory
• Promote healing and reduce pain
• Boost self-esteem
• Increase activity level
• Reduce feelings of hopelessness and loneliness
• Provide a sense of purpose

Pets provide companionship without judgment. We can share our worries and express our feelings with our pets without fear of ridicule or rejection. They motivate us to exercise by playing with them and taking them for walks. Even if the activity is minimal, it can be more than some people would be willing to do otherwise. A desire to congregate and socialize with our pets, in turn, brings people together.

Animals are Good for Your Well-Being

Research shows that when we are near our pets, our body releases a hormone called oxytocin, which lowers our blood pressure and relieves stress, which makes us feel happy. Pets are a positive distraction from worry and depression that can plague people with chronic illness. Interestingly, the vibration cats make can promote wound healing and bone growth as well as reduce pain and swelling.

Other studies indicate that pets have a positive effect on memory stimulation and anxiety reduction too, particularly, in those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

For more information on how we can help you explore care options for your parent, call C-Care Health Services today at (416) 724-2273 or contact us here.

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