Main-AH-logo-Horz-w_gradbox-238x52
 
  • Veterans Programs
    • Veterans Aid & Attendance
  • Services
    • Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
    • Assisting Hands Connecting Care
    • Hospice Care
    • Hiring an Agency vs. Direct Caregiver
    • Personal Care & Companion Services
    • Assisting Hands Help Alert
    • Coordination of Care
    • Full List of Services
  • About Us
    • Why Assisting Hands of Loudoun
    • Industry Statistics
    • Our Caregivers
    • Hospital Readmission Penalties
  • Employer and Event Screening
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Areas Served
    • In Home Care Ashburn, VA
    • In Home Care Aldie, VA
    • In Home Care Chantilly, VA
    • In Home Care Belmont, VA
    • In Home Care Brambleton, VA
    • In Home Care Broadlands, VA
    • In Home Care Purcellville, VA
    • In Home Care Middleburg, VA
    • In Home Care South Riding, VA
    • In Home Care Stone Ridge, VA
    • In Home Care Sterling, VA
  • Ask a Question

Blog

Home Blog Caring for Pets Improves Well-Being for Seniors

Caring for Pets Improves Well-Being for Seniors

July 12, 2019Lillian FunkBlog, Elderly Care in Leesburg VA, Pets and Seniors

Many seniors have owned pets for a significant portion of their life. Treasured family pets form crucial memories and provide a sense of companionship and something to be responsible for. However, as seniors age, pets may be a responsibility that they feel they cannot take on. Sometimes they simply do not have the energy or physical ability to take care of their pets. However, many elders continue to benefit from having pets around, and there are ways for family caregivers to reduce the burden of caring for pets.

Physical benefits

According to News in Health, interacting with pets can reduce blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol, increase a sense of well-being and boost mood. An animal gives seniors something to focus on and talk about and adds a pleasant change in routine.

Pet therapy

Pet therapy can include walking therapy animals, interacting with trained therapy animals and caring for animals. The benefits of pet care for the elderly include improvements in cognition, an increased desire to speak about past pets, improved morale, reduced anxiety, increased social interaction and improved self-esteem. Therapy pets are specially trained to interact with seniors and can give the pet interaction seniors like without the commitment of a full-time pet.

Sense of purpose

Some foster groups have piloted programs that pair willing senior fosters with young kittens who need to be bottle-fed every two hours. According to Animal Channel, this program even improved memory loss in affected patients and give elders a sense of purpose while giving back to the community and providing a service that is difficult to find volunteers for. Fostering animals is a short-term commitment with long-term results.

What’s required for therapy pets?

Therapy pets used in elder care are obedience trained so they will not act out and startle seniors or be potentially injurious. Pets must be socialized and calm and able to understand how to interact with mobility-impaired patients.

The mental and emotional benefits of pet interaction for the elderly are immense. Having therapy pets as part of their wellness routine also removes the need to be responsible for a pet physically and financially. If you are interested in finding a pet therapy program for the elder in your life, discuss it with them and ask different rescue groups or pet stores if they have recommendations on therapy pets who could interact well with seniors.

How can I help care for pets?

If your senior still has a pet full time, then volunteering to help take the pet to regular vet appointments can help make it easier to care for. Additionally, high-energy pets may not get the workouts they need from elders. Taking energetic dogs for long walks makes the pet more agreeable and may reduce behavior issues as a result of being underworked.

Being older doesn’t mean elders have to give up the things that make independent living so satisfying. Regular interaction with animals can be a huge quality of life improvement, and elder care can be supplemented with regular interaction with either family pets or therapy animals.

https://caringpeopleinc.com/blog/pet-therapy-elderly-ultimate-guide/
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
https://animalchannel.co/catalina-springs-seniors-kittens-hamilton/

If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Leesburg, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.

  • About
  • Latest Posts

Lillian Funk

Latest posts by Lillian Funk (see all)

  • Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to Caregiver Stress - April 9, 2021
  • What Can Your Senior Do if She’s Battling Depression? - April 1, 2021
  • Four Real Reasons for Your Senior to Use a Smartphone - March 26, 2021
Tags: Elderly Care in Leesburg VA
Previous post Four Ways to Have a Moment to Yourself Next post How to Help Your Senior to Find Happiness Again

Related Articles

Encouraging Better Nutrition for Your Senior Through Kitchen Organization

February 9, 2018Lillian Funk

Elderly Care can Help Seniors Maintain Holistic Wellness

October 23, 2020Lillian Funk

Could Your Friends Be a Support System for You as a Family Caregiver?

May 19, 2017Lillian Funk

Recent Posts

  • Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to Caregiver Stress April 9, 2021
  • What Can Your Senior Do if She’s Battling Depression? April 1, 2021
  • Four Real Reasons for Your Senior to Use a Smartphone March 26, 2021
  • What Can You Do to Take Better Care of Your Senior and Others? March 19, 2021
  • What Treatments Are Available for Osteoarthritis? March 12, 2021
chat-icon

Read Our Newsletter

Read More
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
apache_pb

Download Our Brochure

Download
logo

assisting hands

Assisting Hands Home Care provides elder care services and senior in home care services for families across the country.

  • (703) 982-0050
  • info@assistinghands.com
  • 20130 Lakeview Center Plaza, #400, Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Google Business Profile

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • Areas Served

Services

  • Additional Services
  • Aging In Place
  • Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
  • Coordination of Care

legal

  • Hospital Readmission Penalties
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Statement
Places to View Us On The Web

2020 Assisting Hands Home Care. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED