Loneliness seems to be the most serious condition an elderly
person can face. With all the research being done to find cures for cancer,
loneliness ranks the most highest among the elder population who are widowed or
left in nursing homes with no one to come visit or show love towards them. Love
is the most important health attribute we have and pets are one of nature's
best sources of love.
Animals of
all types, especially dogs and cats, help not only the elderly overcome the
pain of loneliness, but pets show companionship and affection. For anyone who
is consistently left alone, pets can also supply a sense of security and
protection. Pets can make one laugh and divert the mind away from troubles.
Several studies have shown that pets can aid in relaxation, lower one's blood
pressure, promote health, and extend one's life. Pets help us unwind. Pets
supply a nurturing quality by ways of affectionate attention. Pets relieve
stress and anxiety and anyone who bonds with a pet will confirm the value of a
pet.
Of the many
elderly people in our population, they have discovered that pets satisfy their
needs and encourage them to hold on to the world of reality, of care, of human
labor and sacrifice, and of intense emotional relationships. With a pet,
elderly people see themselves as worthwhile and their sense of self is restored
and enhanced because the love they give a pet is being given back to them.
The Role of
Pet Ownership
One of the
most distressing life events, death of a spouse, occurs with greatest frequency
in older populations. Major events, such as spousal loss, are frequently
identified as precipitating factors in loneliness, another potential
determinant of physician utilization. In light of these notions, it is reasonable
to hypothesize that circumstances that promote well-being or alleviate distress
or both could reduce the need for physician contact. One such circumstance is
pet ownership. Pets have been reported to provide companionship, an aid to
health and relaxation, protection, and nonjudgmental acceptance and love.
Observational
studies suggest that introducing pets into the lives of terminal cancer
patients or the lives of patients in a geriatric ward bring about significant
positive social and psychological consequences. Bird placement among British
pensioners led to positive psychological effects in comparison with pensioners
who received a plant. However, at least one evaluation of a companion animal
program failed to show positive gains for those who acquired pets relative to a
comparison group; among pet owners, though, affection for pets was positively
related to morale.
With regard
to naturally occurring pet ownership, one study found no physical benefit and
three studies found no psychological benefit of pet ownership among the
elderly. This is in contrast to dramatic findings that identified pet ownership
as a strong social predictor of 1 year survival in a group of post coronary
patients. Also supportive of the value of pets are data from a national probability
sample of respondents 65 years or older that showed that pet attachment was
inversely related to depression as measured by a symptom scale (Siegel, Judith
M.).
In a study
done by
The most
frequent response to the conversational question, "Why do you have a
pet?" was, "I have always had a pet." A related response,
"I love pets," was also frequent. Companionship and affection was the
next most frequent response. The third most common response, selected by about
20 percent of pet owners, was "It gets me out of the house," or
"It gives me an opportunity to socialize." Strangely, this response
was selected more often by cat owners than dog owners (fifteen compared to
seven). One is left to wonder why cat ownership gets the elderly person out of
the house, especially in comparison to dog ownership (Smith, David W.E., et, al.).
Pets as Companions
The benefits
of pets appear widely accepted and are thought to include companionship,
relaxation, improvement in the quality of life, production of a more-home like
environment, increased socialization among people, the ability to combat loneliness,
increased feelings of security, and provision of a source of unconditional love
and concentrated affection.
Animal visits
and animal assisted therapy have existed for many years within nursing home and
hospital settings based upon the belief that people benefit from interactions
with pets. The research supporting these accepted benefits is extremely
limited. The effects of pets on lowering blood pressure and
other physiological functions is strongly supported by research
literature. Additional benefits of pet therapy related to cognitively impaired
persons are thought to also include orientation to the present, increased
verbal interactions/socialization, and tactile stimulation (Katsinas,
Rene').
According to
the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (AAPMA), senior citizens
can benefit from the physiological, social, and psychological benefits that
senior pets provide. Studies suggest elderly pet owners have significantly
lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than elderly people with no pet.
Because companion animals, young or old, need to be walked, fed and groomed,
seniors can take advantage of the increased exercise they will get which
results from pet ownership. Walking and caring for a pet helps hearts stay
healthy and keeps joins flexible and limber. Along with
physiological benefits, companion animals (whether furry, finned or feathered)
offer love, and social interaction. These additional benefits of owning
a pet will maintain the mental and emotional health of well (APPMA).
Elderly patients in care facilities or rented housing
The physical
activities involved in caring for an animal (e.g. walking, grooming) can help
residents of long term care release excess energy, maintain muscle strength and
joint mobility. Numerous social and psychological benefits of animals have been
observed as well. Through performing tasks such as feeding, walking or
brushing, an individual gains an increased sense of self-respect, independence
and perceived control over his/her environment.
Elderly people
who live in rented housing are often prohibited from having companion animals.
In order to make a credible case for change in rental policies it is necessary
to do research that increases understanding of the potential benefits and
nature of relationships between elderly individuals and their pets. The
environment of socially isolated elderly women living in their own homes was
the focus of a physiology study in which resting blood pressure were explored
over a six-month period. Relative to their counterparts without pets, pet
owners had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures. In
addition, elderly pet owners with few (human) social contacts had blood
pressures comparable to those of young women. Participants had cats or dogs
and, although no species-related differences were found, attachment to the pet
was a very important factor. The notable finding here is that, although
increases in blood pressure are a normal part of aging, social support provided
by people and or pets can moderate age-related increases (Delta Society).
The help of
animals can offer to elderly with communication difficulties another important
component in the animal-elderly relationship. Many nursing home residents
experience a decline in verbal skills. Animals can help to enhance verbal
communication by offering opportunities for patients to vocalize, socialize and
reminiscence.
There have
been studies where some patients, after months of silence, will talk to an
animal. People often perceive social interaction as less threatening in the
presence of an animal. This allows patients the opportunity to practice and
maintain social skills, thereby increasing connections with others. Animals can
also improve relationships between caregivers and patients by providing a more
comfortable environment, as well as a mutual interest and conversation topic.
For many
elderly, nonverbal communication becomes increasingly important. Because people
often maintain nonverbal communication skills after the loss of verbal
abilities, the nonverbal acceptance and communication of animals have
recognized benefits and importance. One way that residents communicate
nonverbally with animals is through sensory stimulation. Physical contact with
an animal (holding, stroking, hugging) provides
sensory experiences that are difficult to replicate on a consistent basis with
people.
With animals, intimacy is also attained instantly. It has been argued that the
human-animal bond is more natural than any other type of relationship.
Human-animal interactions can help long-term residential patients maximize
functional abilities and improve their life altogether (Kogan,
Lori I.).
If you want
to see an elderly person bounce back from a depressive state and incorporate a
rhythm and structure back into their daily lives, give them an animal which
will provide a boundless measure of acceptance, adoration, attention and
unconditional love. In one nursing home study, the presence of a residential
cat resulted in notably increased motivation for social interaction among the
elderly residents. Compared with residents who were exposed
to stuffed pets, videotapes of pets, or no pets at all, those residents exposed
to actual pets showed higher levels of alertness and smiling. Comments
from nursing home patients have included: "We all need love and pets give
us warm feelings," "A part of home at the hospital," and
"This gives us something to talk about besides our troubles."
The same
benefits hold true for homebound seniors. Elderly pet owners have been shown to
cope better with stressful life events than non-pet owners, and dog owners have
enjoyed improvements in their level of self-esteem, versus those without
canines.
Additionally,
pets often become a "time clock" for elderly persons who have no
immediate obligations or scheduled activities. In one study, dog owners walked
significantly longer than non-dog owners.
There seems to also be increasing evidence that pets not only improve
"quality of life", but can also improve measurable "quantity of
life." For example, research studies have reported a marked reduction in
risk factors of cardiovascular disease in groups of pet owners, compared to
elderly persons with no pet. In another study, pet owners had significantly
lower serum triglyceride levels (Likourezos, Antonios, et. al.).
Widowed
Persons and Pets as a nuisance
The level of
attachment plays a role in therapy for elderly people as well. Boldt and Dellman-Jenkins
reported on a longitudinal study in which pets were used to alleviate
depression and loneliness in 192 recently bereaved older people. The
investigators found that non-pet owners were better able to cope three weeks
after the spouse's death; however, six months after the death, significant
differences in coping skills between groups were no longer found. The
researchers drew conclusions that relationships with pets cannot be considered
substitutes for close interpersonal relationships, it cannot be assumed that a
pet in the home will ease the loneliness felt after the loss of a human
companion and most importantly, a widowed person should not be encouraged to
take pets during the early grief period but may benefit from a companion animal
only when he or she feels ready for a relationship with a pet.
There are
also negative factors associated with animals as companions. A pet could become
a nuisance issue, the risk of communicable diseases and the sense of loss and
removal of the constant companionship when the animal dies. However, with
careful planning, these negative factors can easily be reduced. Such issues as
maintaining the cleanliness of the home and scheduling regular veterinary care
may be arranged in advance. Most therapy programs also provide bereavement
counseling when pets die, and offer advice regarding the introduction of a new
animal when appropriate (Likourezos, Antonios, et. al.).
Pet dogs that serve as buffers
Pets may
serve to buffer and normalize aging persons' sense of social isolation. In
documenting the fact that elderly people are at risk of social isolation,
researchers have shown that in
It seems that
researchers are somewhat split on what works for the elderly population when it
comes to having pets introduced into their lives. Some say pets given to a
widowed person would not be a good idea, especially after losing a loved one.
Researchers would suggest waiting a period of time before talking about a pet
to replace a human companion. Although, with the many studies
out about pets as therapy for the elderly population, pets also seem to be
welcomed by those who lack human contact. Pets, overall seem to be a
therapeutic solution for loneliness. Not only do pets give elderly persons who
have no one to love and care for them a reason to go on, but pets also give
unconditional love. Pets do not see an old person,
they do not see weakness, disability, hurt or pain. The only thing a pet sees
is a person wanting to love and be loved.
Even as a
young adult, I see pets as therapeutic. Having two cats and three strays in my
backyard give me much joy. Without my pets to love and stroke I would be very
sad.
Bibliography
Allen, Karen,
"The Healthy Pleasure of Their Company: Companion Animals and Human
Health." Delta Society .
Alvarado,
Lee, "Senior Pets, Senior People Unite for "Golden"
Partnership."
APPMA 5 Sept 2001 .
Katsinas, Rene' P. "The Use and Implications of a Canine
Companion in a Therapeutic
Day Program for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia." Activities,
Adaptation & Aging 25(1) (2000): 13-29.
Korgan, Lori R. "Effective Animal-Intervention for Long Term
Care Residents."
Activities, Adaptation & Aging 25(1) (2000): 31-45.
Likourezos, Antonios, et.
al. "The Therapeutic Use of Companion Animals."
Clinical
Geriatrics .
Rogers, John,
et. al. "The Role of Pet Dogs in Casual
Conversations of Elderly Adults."
The Journal of Social Psychology 133 (1993):265.
Siegel,
Judith M. "Stressful Life Events and Use of Physician Services Among the
Elderly:
The Moderating Role of Pet Ownership." The Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology. 58 (1990): 1081-1086.
Smith, David
W. E., et. al. "Pet Ownership by Elderly People:
Two New Issues."
International J. Aging and Human Development 34 (1992): 175-184.
Read Original Article
Author: By
info@associatedcontent.com (Monica Curran)
© 2007
Associated Content
original link – http://www.dentalplans.com/articles/18293/