Anyone who has ever stroked a dog’s soft ears
or felt the gentle rumble of a cat’s purr knows the calming feeling an
animal can offer. A pet companion presents many health benefits to their
owners, like lower cholesterol levels and can even prevent heart attack
and stroke. They can also help fight depression.
For these reasons, more and more often animals are being utilized for
therapeutic purposes at senior facilities. Therapy animals are used to
promote health and healing for seniors of any age range or health
condition, whether they are depressed, chronically ill or have ongoing
disabilities.
Pet therapy for seniors, also known as Animal Assisted Therapy, is a
technique that uses animals to interact with seniors for numerous
reasons to help improve their quality of life. Studies show that just
fifteen minutes spent bonding with an animal promotes hormonal changes
within the brain. Stress levels drop as the brain produces serotonin
(the “feel-good” hormone), along with prolactin and oxytocin. This is
why therapy animals are good companions for seniors, because they offer
so many amazing health benefits.
Pet Therapy for Seniors
Some assisted living facilities are offering pet therapy because of
the numerous benefits interaction with animals offer to seniors.
American Senior Communities are among such facilities.
Seniors suffer from depression usually as a result of loneliness or
isolation, either because friends and family members cannot visit on a
regular basis, or they aren’t as active as they previously were.
Perhaps a loving spouse has passed away. Contact with therapy animals
can bring some withdrawn seniors out of their shells, making them
happier and more communicative.
Studies show that seniors who are active and always around others, or
who own a pet decline in health far less rapidly than isolated or
depressed seniors.
Physical, Emotional and Psychological Benefits of Pet Therapy for Seniors
- Seniors with heart conditions who own pets tend to outlive those who don’t.
- Walking a dog provides much-needed physical exercise, which leads to improved mobility and a healthier lifestyle overall.
- The ability to have something to pet or touch can result in lower blood pressure, normal heart rate and reduced stress.
- Pets provide emotional stability during stressful situations, helping to reduce anxiety and depression.
- Caring for a pet helps increase a senior’s self-confidence and
self-esteem, providing them a way to feel useful and responsible for
something.
- For dementia patients, animals can be soothing to those who have difficulty using language.
- Feeding and grooming can help increase seniors’ physical skills and help them become more active.
- Animals can help improve socialization- they listen without judgment
and give unbiased affection, especially when a senior may desire to
share the thoughts they may not be comfortable telling family or
friends.
Having an animal in a senior’s life can help improve their well-being
and give new meaning to their life. Due to the numerous health benefits
therapy animals provide, many assisted living facilities are starting
to include pet therapy in their regular senior care programs. Being
around animals makes people feel better, healthier, and happier.
For more information about American Senior Communities, please visit www.ASCSeniorCare.com.
Disclaimer: The statements on this blog are not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The author does not in any
way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of
any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any
message. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical
advice.
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