In assisted living facilities, hospitals and private homes throughout the country, pets are commonly used for therapy with senior citizens. Owning a pet has been correlated with lower blood pressure, increased activity and socialization, and even increased length of survival following a heart attack.
For those with Alzheimer’s, a four-legged creature can provide great comfort, particularly in times of disorientation and agitation. Studies have shown that regular contact with a pet can help decrease anxiety and increase feelings of calm and well-being. Some people with Alzheimer’s have been able to stop taking anti-anxiety medication after regular contact with pets was initiated.
The happy stories of therapy animals and Alzheimer’s sufferers are many. The 57-year-old man with early-onset Alzheimer’s whose German Shepard service dog, Sam, took him from a 12 [out of 10] on the anxiety and stress scale down to a two or three. Now the man comfortably embarks on outings with Sam by his side and he has started a Facebook support group to help other dementia sufferers find well-trained service dogs.
The 87-year-old woman at an assisted living facility with advanced Alzheimer’s who would sit passively in her wheelchair day after day until she met Mitzi, a golden retriever. Now when Mitzi visits, the woman smiles and she often reaches out to pet the happy dog, big accomplishments for a woman who barely responded to humans.
In addition to stimulating a social response and being a trusted companion, therapy animals can help dementia sufferers because of:
- Physical activity. Depending on a person’s mobility, they may be able to groom the animal, toss a ball or even go for a short walk.
- Improved eating. Dementia sufferers have been shown to eat more following a dog’s visit.
- Pleasure. Some people simply enjoy the presence of the dog, as well as the tricks therapy dogs can do.
Properly trained and prepared therapy animals can be a real blessing to people with dementia. Several national organizations for therapy and service dogs include the Delta Society and Therapy Dogs International.