The Benefits of Pet Therapy for Older Adults
Our furry friends are awfully cute and watching funny pet videos on YouTube is a great way to spend an afternoon. But their presence in our lives has major impacts on our physical and mental health as well. Let’s look at the ways these balls of joy help improve our wellness.
Over half of adults over 50 have at least one pet, so the joys of having a cat or dog in your life is probably not news to you. But the health benefits, especially for older adults, may surprise you. Pets provide social and emotional support, including reducing loneliness and reducing stress. Even older adults who do not currently have a pet can be helped by animal assisted activities and therapy since interacting with animals is powerful.
The bond between animals and humans is associated with wellness benefits like:
- Added opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
- Additional chances for social interaction
- Increased cognitive function in older adults
- Decreased blood pressure
- Lowered stress levels and a decrease in stress-related ailments
- Lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Decreases in anxiety, depression and symptoms of PTSD
- Reduced loneliness and isolation
Animals play a major role in grounding us and giving us an outlet for stress, especially through pet therapy. A holistic way to enhance our overall wellness, pet therapy can encompass any of the following types of interaction:
- Animal-assisted physical therapy: dogs work alongside an older adult during PT as support.
- Animal-assisted psychotherapy: animals ease the anxiety of patients.
- Emotional support animals: a pet who helps improve well being, combatting anxiety or loneliness.
- Therapy animal visits: therapy animals who visit residents of senior living communities, hospitals and even at home to offer support and give affection.
- Specially trained pets: seizure-alert dogs, guide dogs and other animals are trained for specific functions to help their owners.
Finding ways to help older adults age comfortably takes many forms. Animals provide so many ways to help both physically and mentally, so incorporating some quality time with our furry friends is always time well spent! CarePatrol is here to help older adults navigate aging and find the right senior care solutions for them. How can we help you?