What are the benefits of pets for the elderly?
There are many benefits of pets for the elderly, including companionship, reduced stress and a furry friend around the home.
Some benefits of owning a pet for an elderly person can include:
Purpose
Pets can bring great joy, companionship and purpose to elderly people.
The development of routines to care for a pet is beneficial to an elderly person. For example, the time a pet needs feeding, walking, bathing or playing with can help give structure to your day. If you have an overactive and curious pet, you may find yourself outside exploring your local woods a lot more than you would have done previously. An inquisitive pet can give a reason for an elderly person to be active and outside, whether you want to or not! Routine can give a sense of responsibility and aid your health in the long run, says AgeUK. A pet routine can include:
Social Interaction
Pets can provide companionship and an opportunity to engage with other pet owners.
Have you ever taken your dog on a walk and have awkwardly been caught in the crossfire of a dog-on-dog barking battle? While this situation may not be the most welcome, it provides a great opportunity for elderly people to meet other pet owners. Simply walking a pet along the road can prompt a passerby to say hello to you and your furry friend. A pet themselves can become a ‘man’s best friend’ and a companion to you. Interacting with them daily is shown to prevent loneliness, especially in elderly people.
Reduced Anxiety
Pets reduce anxiety by elevating levels of feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine.
Unless your pet has some mischievous character traits, chances are your pet is a calming presence in your home. There’s nothing like staring into the big blue eyes of your Labrador or stroking and grooming your loveable best friend to help make you feel calm. In fact, the companionship of a pet has been proven to reduce anxiety, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Interacting with pets can prompt the release of endorphins which naturally improve the mood and prevent anxiety and depression, studies show.
Lower Blood Pressure
Pets can reduce our blood pressure by helping us to relax and release feel-good hormones.
ACE Inhibitors, beta-blockers…add your beloved cat to the mix of things that can help lower your blood pressure. According to the Pet Health Council, simply stroking a pet or watching fish swim can help us relax, which reduces our heart rate and lowers blood pressure. While we don’t advise you to stop your medications prescribed by a medical professional, try stroking your pet doggo to enhance its effects. Studies show that when looking into our dog’s eyes, we release oxytocin which also happens to lower blood pressure! All the more reason to love your animal pal even more.
Improved quality of life
Pets can improve the quality of anyone's life, especially the elderly.
Pets can aid an elderly person to develop and maintain certain skills. A pet can improve a persons quality of life by introducing:
Stress Relief
Pets can reduce stress levels due to their ability to bond with us.
The Care Dogs Charity says that those working on a stressful task are much less stressed with a pet nearby as opposed to a spouse or family member. While your spouse may take offence to this fact, your beloved pooch certainly won’t. As we deeply bond with our pets, our hormone levels react positively to being around them. This trait of our furry friends is especially beneficial to elderly people who may live alone. Having a pet around can serve as a beloved four-legged stress ball, improve your overall health and will be your dear companion for many years.
A fully regulated home care provider
Here at Helping Hands, our service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
This means we need to consistently meet high standards and are monitored by our regulators.
