Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less often than those who don't. In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners had a 21 percent lower level of physician contact than non-owners.
Medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to $1.18 per patient per day when nursing homes allowed pets to be introduced into patients' environments. Nursing homes in New York, Missouri and Texas were all used in the study.
"Researchers found even one 30-minute long session of animal assisted therapy reduced loneliness to a statistically significant degree." Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 7/02.
How pets improve our health. The benefits of pet companionship and interaction include: • less stress • lower blood pressure • lower cholesterol levels • less cardiovascular disease • reduced sense of loneliness • increased socialization and reminiscences • increased sense of responsibility and alertness • increased physical activity • improved overall health • fewer doctor appointments • increased fun!
According to the healthspring.net naturopathic site, studies have shown that petting animals can bring down a person's blood pressure and trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which can elevate mood.
Pets can also enhance the patients connection to his or her world. Even people with very advanced dementia will sometimes respond to the comforting presence of an animal even if they respond to little else.
People with dementia are at risk for loneliness and isolation. As they become forgetful and disoriented, they may be reluctant to talk to new people or even to friends and family. A pet visit can help break the ice and provide a happy topic for conversation. Some people with dementia will communicate more readily with animals than with humans. A pet, after all, is a nonjudgmental listener who won't notice that they've used the wrong word or scold them for telling the same story four or five times.
Pet visits allow people with dementia a chance to play and express themselves creatively. Pets can become a valuable part of a therapy program. A patient who might not want to practice walking with a physical therapist because it feels too much like for, for instance, might be overjoyed at the change to take a dog for a walk because that seems more like play.
Pet therapy seems to be especially effective with senior citizens suffering from cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's. Many people with dementia experience periods of agitation, especially in the evening hours. This is referred to as "sundowning." Sundowning is not only stressful for the person with dementia, it can be very difficult for caregivers as well. Studies have shown that regular contact with a pet can help decrease anxiety and increase feelings of calm and well-being, even during the difficult evening hours.
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All Ages. All Stages. AllCare Living Services 1675 North Main Street, Suite 105-B Summerville, SC 29483 843-832-9888
