Having pets can make any human feel better and good. This is the primary driving force for many people to get pets for themselves and their loved ones. Anyone who has ever been with a loyal dog or cat would testimony, how much happiness it gave them. Now science has proved that, a mere fifteen minutes of bonding with any pet, sets of a chemical chain reaction in the brain. This boosts up the feel good hormone (serotonin) by lowering the cortisol level. This has been proved to lower the blood pressure, stress levels as well as the heart rate. If fifteen minutes with a pet can bring this change, imagine how much improvement having a pet would make. It has been found that, over a period of time, improved interactions between pets and humans would bring down the cholesterol, help in overcoming depression and even to protect against stroke and heart diseases. All this makes pets ideal companions for the elderly.
Dynamics between Pets and Seniors
A major concern of bringing pets into assisted living for seniors is to ensure that facility has enough amenities for the pets’ well –being. Many veterinarians point out, how many pets’ needs get ignored in this process. It is a fact that human beings get a lot of benefits from being in the company of a pet. Having an animal could give the elders a new hope for life, as a pet brings in the energy and vibrancy that their life lacks in that environment. It is important to have pets, but at the same time the health needs of the animals cannot be ignored nor forgotten.
The elderly might forget to feed them or to maintain their hygiene needs. There have been cases where their medication needs were even forgotten. So it is essential for the senior assisted communities to take the initiative in helping them take care of these loyal friends. This would be ideal for the happiness of the pets as well as their elderly owners. Only a community which is open and friendly to pets would provide the necessary support system to the elderly to take good care of their pets. There are many assisted living communities which have these amenities and some even have a coordinator to foresee the care of pets. He/she is responsible for taking care of all the animals including their medications and tracking of vaccinations. This is proving to be a good system, wherein both the parties are equally benefitted.
How Pets can enhance the life of Seniors
Many studies indicate that even though people from all age groups and walks of life benefit from having a pet. When the seniors have pets, it gives them a new purpose of life. That might also be because most often pets are the only companions which the seniors have in their life. They provide mental comfort and companionship for the elders which helps in reducing their anxiety and stress.
Most often the decision to have a pet could be life changing for the elderly. When they take physical care for the animal, like walking the dog or brushing them provides for an activity as well as a new purpose for their day improving their own self-worth and happiness. This has also showed that social life of the elderly improves as having pet would give them more topics to talk about.
However in earlier days, as a person moved into an assisted living centre or a nursing home it was the end of his/her bond with the pet. But now there is a huge change in this scenario and people with pets has started to opt for homes with an open pet policy. It was also found that many such communities have opened their gates for the animals after being awed by the benefits and advantages that they bring in to the residents. Pet therapy has been found to be extremely helpful for people suffering from disorders like dementia. These animals are not just helpful for their owners, but have been found to be helping the other residents too. Especially, when a new person joins in the community, he/she might be withdrawn and solitary. But the company of a pet helps in breaking the ice and instantly draws them out of their lonely shell. Pets are the magic pill which any elderly person needs!
