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Benefits of Pet Therapy for People with Dementia

Friday, May 20, 2022

For many of us, there’s a certain level of excitement that occurs when we see a beloved pet. From the wagging tail of a friendly dog to the comfort of a purring cat, animals can greatly impact our mental health. Did you know the same is true for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, one of the common causes of dementia?

 

Pet therapy – also known as animal-assisted therapy – impacts the part of the brain that controls stress and happiness, bringing a range of health benefits. Before we jump into the advantages and how it can help people with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment and more, it’s important to learn what pet therapy involves.

 

What is pet therapy?

Animal-assisted therapy is a holistic form of care that’s rising in popularity among many medical professionals, especially for those in long-term care or memory care communities. With the help of dogs and cats, or less commonly, fish, birds and reptiles, these animals and their handlers will visit residents to help enhance mood and decrease feelings of isolation.

 

How does pet therapy benefit people, including seniors with memory loss?

Pet therapy brings a range of physical and mental advantages. Discover just a bit about what science has to say about the use of animal-assisted therapy from UCLA Health.

 

Emotional Advantages

Do animals make your loved one with memory loss happy? They’re not alone. Check out some of the emotional advantages pet therapy can have.

It provides relaxation.

According to the UCLA article, all it takes is petting an animal to release an automatic relaxation response, lessening anxiety; promoting the release of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin; and providing comfort.

Pet therapy lessens loneliness.

Whether through a happy distraction or a means for a periodic escape, animals can help many people feel less alone. Reducing feelings of loneliness can also reduce the risk or symptoms of depression.

It is shown to increase mental stimulation.

For those with head injuries or chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, animal-assisted therapy can help in the recall of memories while helping sequence temporal events.

 

Physical Health Benefits

While we often think of pets as providing opportunities for exercise by going for a walk, playing fetch or throwing a frisbee, just participating in pet therapy can enhance physical health. If your loved one is able to get outside and do these things with a beloved pet, that’s wonderful, but if not, they’ll still enjoy physical benefits!

Enhancement of heart health.

The use of pet therapy can lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.

Pet therapy diminishes physical pain and promotes relaxation during exercise.

The UCLA article states that the participants in their animal-assisted therapy program were more motivated, enjoyed their therapy sessions more, and found the atmosphere to be less stressful. This form of therapy also helps to diminish physical pain and slow the breathing of those who are anxious.

It can lessen the number of medications needed.

Whether this is because of lessened stress, enhanced health or decreased levels of pain, those who participate in animal-assisted therapy may experience a reduced need for medication.

 

How can you and your loved one participate in pet therapy sessions?

There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Whether you would like to spend some time with animals as well or you want to provide your loved one with some relief from their symptoms of Alzheimer’s, try some of these tips.

  • Visit a memory care community that has a pet therapy program
  • Attend an educational “meet and greet” at a local zoo
  • Go to the petting zoo at a less popular time of day
  • Bring in a family member’s beloved pet
  • Provide stuffed animals or a lifelike interactive pet

 

Bridges®: Bringing the Benefits of Pet Therapy to Those with Alzheimer’s Disease

At Bridges® by EPOCH, we know the positive impact a visit from a furry friend or animal can have on those with memory problems. This is why our communities are pet-friendly and often provide relaxing opportunities for animal-assisted therapies, nature connection programs and more.

If you’d like to schedule a tour or speak with a member of our team, visit our website today! Or if you’d like more helpful tips to support you in caring for a loved one, visit our blog today!

 

Enhancing Quality of Life

Bridges® by EPOCH memory care communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer, and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.

Bridges® communities are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in the following towns: Norwalk, CT; Stamford, CT; Trumbull, CT; Andover, MA; Hingham, MA; Lexington, MA; Mashpee, MA; Pembroke, MA; Sudbury, MA; Westford, MA; Westwood, MA; and Nashua, NH.

 

Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.

Learn More About Bridges®

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