The Benefits of Companion Animals
Increasingly, research is indicating that interacting with companion animals can significantly improve an older person’s health and wellbeing. While more research is needed, it is clear that pets reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation, alleviate stress, and help provide a sense of purpose. They encourage social interaction, promote a healthier lifestyle, and add a sense of routine to an older person’s life. Having a pet is associated with a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, and there is even evidence indicating that pets decrease the time it takes for seniors to recover from a health emergency, surgery, illness, or injury.
Should You Get a Pet?
If the preceding paragraph has inspired you to go right out and get a pet for the senior in your life, we would like to urge caution. While animals can make wonderful companions, they are still animals and, as such, do come with risks. Bites, scratches, and animal-borne infections can all occur, and pets require an investment of time, energy, and money that many older people do not have. How can one reap the benefits of animal companionship without the investment and maintenance involved in pet ownership. This is where pet therapy comes in.
Why Pet Therapy is an Excellent Solution
Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a guided interaction between people, a trained animal, and that animal’s handler. There are also animal-assisted activities (AAA), which are less structured and more social. Hospitals and long-term care communities often partner with pet therapy organizations to provide their residents with regular visits from friendly animals. These visits do not have to be long, as just 15 minutes of bonding with and petting an animal can increase serotonin and oxytocin levels, providing a sense of calm and well-being. What’s more, interacting with animals can lead to increased physical activity, as well as stimulating socialization and cognitive function.
In-home Care Can Help Stimulate the Brain
Animal companionship is rewarding, but it doesn’t replace human interaction. If you have an older loved one who needs companionship and mental stimulation, an in-home caregiver may be exactly the right fit. Homecare providers can help keep older people engaged in social activities while offering companionship and helping them with the tasks of daily living. By encouraging seniors to engage in mentally stimulating activities, caregivers can help them keep their minds sharp. At
BrightStar Care of North Houston/The Woodlands, we know that caring for an aging loved one can be challenging. That’s why we work hard to deliver the right care for your relative and to be a partner you can turn to for support. Because we believe that caring is more than just a job, our nurses, therapists, CNAs, and caregivers offer the most professional compassionate care available. In the comforting, familiar surroundings of home, we offer a full range of care services to meet your family member’s needs and help you when you need it most.
Contact us or call 281-367-7827 to learn more about our services and let us know what we can do for you.
