"Animals help patients keep their mind off their problems," says Jean S. Uehl, the director of nurses. "The love the patients get from the animals is unconditional."One particular stroke patient was withdrawn and rarely smiled, until she began to play with the resident cat. The patient and the cat became closely bonded to each other, and when the cat had kittens, "they became like the patient’s babies," according to Uehl. The kittens played and slept on a tray on the resident’s wheelchair and slept in a chair near her bed whenever they could. The kittens brought the resident out of her shell and she began to talk and smile.
"The kittens in particular get all the residents’ attention," says Uehl. "Everyone always wants to know where they’re at and what they’re doing." When there are kittens in the building, a number of residents stay busy all day, following them, playing with them, and keeping an eye on them. ~ From HealthyPet.com
Consider taking your pet to visit residents at a nursing home or an elderly neighbor. They do NOT have to be registered therapy animals. Call your local nursing homes and ask about their policies. Usually only updated shots are required for your pet.
Don't have a pet? Go hold a residents hand instead. ♥
Source:
Facebook: The Forgotten Ones: Compassion for the Elderly
Great idea, the kittens.
ReplyDeleteI visit a nursing home which has a pet cat.
If nursing homes had pets, they would make the patients feel so much more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteMy parents Assisted Living facility has resident Golden Retriever, illusive cat, birds: Romeo and Juliet and a pet rabbit.
ReplyDeleteNice! God's critters are a very important part of our lives.
Compassion for the elderly, compassion for animals, compassion for children.
ReplyDeleteCompassion is the key.
Your parents sound like they're in a nice place, Sue.