With the aging of our population, there has been increased
attention placed on health promotion for persons of all ages, especially those
60 and older. This article underscores
the value of pet ownership in promoting health and enhancing quality of life for
seniors.
Aging is a dynamic interactive process influenced by a
person’s internal and external environment.
The external environment can include a living situation, activity
levels, nutrition, and social factors. Having a companion animal impacts ones external
environment and has been shown to have a positive effect on quality of life for
many seniors. Although there is still much to be learned about the effects of
the human-animal companion bond, studies have shown that pet ownership can
increase social interaction, improve mental health, and decrease depression.
Companion animals can play an important role in compensating
for losses and age-related change in older persons. Sensory changes are among
the first age-related changes noted by seniors and can have a profound effect
on quality of life because these changes affect how one receives and responds
to stimuli.
- Vision: Proper correction of visual deficits will enable the older person to watch fish swim in an aquarium, watch wild animals in the yard or birds flying about outdoors. Any one of these visually stimulating activities keeps the older person “connected” to his or her environment and serves as an important means of sensory stimulation.
- Hearing: Hearing loss is the 3rd most frequently reported chronic condition of persons over 65. A companion animal can serve as an alert system while outdoors but also draw attention to guests and intruders. In addition, the companion animal can reinforce the older person’s attempts to communicate verbally especially when taking the animal outdoors.
- Touch: Touch sensitivity is known to be reduced with aging. While the skin serves many physiologic functions it is also involved in sensory perception and expression of feelings. Aging typically decreases the older person’s opportunities to touch or be touched at a time when the need for tactile stimulation increases with age. Most pets provide an opportunity to fulfill the need to touch and be touched. “The cold wet nose of a faithful canine friend, the velvet feel of a cat’s sleek coat, the softness of a bunny’s ears, the gentle peck of a budgie can be the stimulus that connects the older person to reality.”
- Smell and Taste: Changes in olfactory and gustatory systems are less noticeable but play an important role in the health and well-being of older persons. There is a diminished sense of smell which may indirectly affect appetite; this may be accompanied by a gradual loss of taste buds resulting in a decreased ability to enjoy the flavor of foods. Food intake is also influenced by the social environment and the importance of good nutrition to the overall health of older persons is critical. For an older person living alone, having to prepare food for a pet may serve as stimulus to prepare food for one’s self. Often, the presence of pets during meals can be a substitute for other social contact. The reduced sense of smell may put seniors at risk for injury related to undetected smoke from fire and as well as toxic odors. Pets often alert their owners to undesired or dangerous changes I the environment.
- Cardiovascular System: Cardiovascular disease is common among persons over 65. Risk factors can be separated into two categories non-modifiable and modifiable. It is in the area of modifiable risk factors that companion animals can make an important difference in promoting quality of life for seniors. Observing and/or petting a companion animal has been associated with a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in relaxation. Walking a pet or playing catch may be just the stimulus that is needed for the older person to engage in activity. Having to walk and/or care for pets gives the older person a reason the get up in the morning.
- Musculoskeletal System: Changes that occur in this system have a direct effect on the manner and ability of older persons to move about in their environment. Although disease processes do affect a large number of seniors, many of the observed impairments in functioning are related to disuse. It is in the area of musculoskeletal fitness that companion animals take on particular importance. Brisk walking is the simplest form of weight-bearing exercise and can easily be done with a dog. Throwing a toy or holding an object for a cat to paw at provides an opportunity to exercise arm and shoulder joints.
- Importance of Pets to Seniors: One of the most common issues for seniors is loss. Advancing age brings with it increased losses in many areas including physical losses such as mobility, vision, and hearing; psychological losses such as memory and problem-solving abilities; and social losses such as support, institutionalization and death of loved ones. How one deals with loss may be the single greatest factor affecting the quality of remaining years. The presence of a companion animal to whom one is attached may be a moderator in helping seniors deal with losses.
Studies have shown the therapeutic value of pet ownership
through improved social attitudes, mental health, and happiness. For those
living independently in the community, pet ownership has been shown to enhance
lives. For persons entering a
residential living situation, pet ownership may lessen the impact of loss of
personal freedom.
Excerpted from, “The Role Animals Play in Enhancing Quality
of Life for the Elderly”.
