Anyone who loves animals recognizes how special the bond of a pet can be. Pets provide unconditional love, easy companionship and a sense of purpose for people of all ages. Pets have also been shown to be an invaluable tool for helping older adults combat isolation, loneliness and stress, which is why more and more senior living communities are incorporating pet therapy into their offerings.
“There’s something innate in our nature that draws us to the companionship of animals,” says Chrissy Ross, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee. “Think of the soothing sound of a cat purring, or the joyful exuberance of a friendly dog. This unconditional love has many health benefits for seniors, even if they’re unable to have a personal pet for whatever reason.”
Chrissy says that pet therapies are an essential part of the offerings at Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee. “Seniors with cognitive decline still react strongly to the unhindered, easy acceptance that animals bring,” she says. “We’ve seen firsthand how having an animal around helps improve the quality of life for our residents, easing stress, increasing happiness and providing simple enjoyment.”
In honor of National Love Your Pet Day on February 20, we’re highlighting the benefits of pet therapy for seniors in hopes that it will inspire people of all ages to gain a deeper appreciation of the happiness our four-legged friends bring to our lives.
There are three different ways that pets can provide therapy. The first is ownership therapy, which is where someone actually owns a pet and is responsible for properly caring for it. The second is visitation therapy, which is when a person or organization brings animals in to visit. This form of therapy is the most common in the senior living space, and provides exposure to many different animals. The third therapy is animal-assisted therapy, which is used in more extreme rehabilitation situations. In this type of therapy, an individual is paired with a highly sensitive animal (like certain breeds of dogs, horses or other specially trained creatures) to help improve skills, mental wellness and confidence.
Benefits of Pet Therapy for Seniors
1. Reduces loneliness and isolation.
Research has shown that those who own pets have better mental and emotional health than non-pet owners – which also translates to better physical health. Spending just 15 minutes with an animal produces serotonin in the brain, which immediately drops stress levels and improves overall well-being. People who own pets cope better with stress, take less medication, recover from illness more quickly, require fewer visits to the doctor and, overall, feel less lonely.
2. Improves self-esteem and confidence.
Many seniors, especially those with cognitive issues, suffer from low self-esteem. But caring for an animal has been proven to help improve confidence and provide a sense of self-worth to any individual. Even something as simple as caring for a fish can boost moods and help seniors feel more successful and happy.
3. Enhances social skills.
With increased confidence comes improved social skills. Seniors who spend time with animals tend to be more friendly, more open to socialization and more willing to try new things (like activities or hobbies). Perhaps this is because caring for another living creature requires patience, understanding and an ability to be flexible, which results in gentleness and genuine caring (all excellent skills for improving socialization).
4. Improves physical health.
It makes sense that if you own a dog, you often increase your exercise level because you go on walks, play fetch and do things to help your dog get the exercise he or she needs. However, any sort of pet ownership results in some increased level of exercise, and also improves mobility for seniors who have issues. Repetitive motions, like playing with a feather wand or throwing a ball, can help improve flexibility (and are also fun to watch). Being with animals also lowers blood pressure, which improves cardiovascular health and results in lowered stress, depression and anxiety levels.
5. Increases cognitive function.
It’s essential to keep our brains stimulated, and it’s been shown that even seniors with advanced cognitive decline can benefit from exercises that use different parts of the brain. Interacting with an animal is a whole-body experience, using a variety of senses that spark neurons in different areas of the brain. For those with dementia, interacting with a pet may also spark memories of pets from their past, which can surface opportunities for reminiscing and sharing experiences. Being with animals can also help calm unwanted behaviors that are associated with dementia.
“Every day, we see how beneficial the love of animals can be for our residents,” says Chrissy. “It really is a wonderful thing, because animals don’t care about a person’s ability to remember or how far advanced their disease is. Much like our residents, animals live in the moment to find happiness and joy. It’s very pure – when an animal shows you love or wants to be around you, they don’t have any ulterior motive. It means simply that they enjoy being around you, which is a truly beautiful thing for anyone to experience.”
Peace of Mind for Cape Cod Seniors and Their Families
Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community creates a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, respects individual preferences and makes a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Dedicated Memory Care
Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee offers compassionate dementia care and unique programs that are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident – throughout every stage of disease progression. Residents can age in place comfortably and with dignity, while families gain peace of mind.
Supportive, Engaging Services
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we offer a program of care and services that celebrates life and supports individual strengths. Our compassionate and engaging approach adapts to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment.
Contact us today to learn more.