Westchester Family Care (WFC) has come to respect the beneficial impact pets have in caring for our valued clients.
WFC Founders, Glenn and Lisa, have observed the strong emotional bond they made with their own two dogs, Casey and Cash, and the joyous effect the pups have had on caring for their senior parents.
These observations have informed the type of services offered when caring for seniors at home who have pets.
Statistics About How Can Pets Help Seniors
Pet ownership is popular with all ages, especially seniors. According to the results of a 2019 University of Michigan-AARP poll. Among the total sample of senior citizens, data show that:
-
- dogs are the most popular (owned by 68%)
- followed by cats (48%)
- and then small pets (16%) such as birds, fish, and hamsters.
Further study results reveal that more than one-half (55%) of the seniors, ages 50 to 80, have at least one pet.
“Pet owners say their furry friends help them de-stress and stick to a routine. Pets also provide many people with a sense of purpose.”
Benefits of Pet Ownership for the Elderly and Care Assistance
Glenn Lane reports that many WFC clients have pets. If adult children or relatives live far away, these pets provide advantageous companionship. Even when clients are no longer able to take proper care of pets like they used to, they still enjoy their company.
As a matter of course, WFC screens all HHA’s for whether they have pets in their own home, type of pet, whether the candidate has pet allergies and, a preference to work in a client’s home that has a pet. Once a pet-friendly caregiver is matched with the right client, part of the home services provided can include pet care, i.e., feeding, walking, and picking up waste.
WFC caregivers are also vigilant to be aware of whether the client’s health condition has changed enough to warrant a recommendation that they step back from full pet care and allow WFC staff to take responsibility. For instance, a WFC nurse routinely takes a client’s dog to the veterinarian for check-ups and has even brought the dog to the ER for an emergency.
Pets have a remarkable ability to relieve stress and anxiety. Lisa’s mother with Alzheimer’s would occasionally call to describe a stressful occurrence that frightened her. Lisa found that taking Cash and Casey over to Mom’s would immediately elicit a lifting of her spirits.
Pets Relieve Stress and Can Be Therapeutic for the Elderly
The bonding connection pets can bring to seniors is palpable. On one occasion, Lisa’s mother had not correctly fastened Cash’s leash, who then managed to break free while outside. Seeing that Cash was getting away from her, Lisa’s mom started to run after him to find that the playful Cash took her running to mean he could run too. “Please, Cash, come back to Grandma,” said Mom. Sensing trouble, the dog stopped, came back and reassured her that he would behave.
Lisa believes that dogs gravitate to people who need them. In her case, it was her mother. For her, the implications for a business specializing in caregiving is clear. Clients’ dogs may lack formal training, but, under the right circumstances, they become therapy dogs.
Cash was Glenn and Lisa’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer.
Does regular interaction with pets improve the health of the elderly?
AARP compiled outcomes from various research studies and sources that describe how dogs can improve the health and well-being of their owner, 7 Ways Dogs Can be Good for Your Health.
- Keeps you in shape: Dog owners walk 22 minutes more per day than those who don’t own. Dog walkers have a lower BMI, more mobility at home, fewer doctor visits, and, generally, are more active.
- Strengthens your heart: Owning a dog is most likely linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. What’s more, those who own a dog are more likely to survive a heart attack.
- Eases stress and depression: Fifteen minutes of exposure to a therapy dog significantly lowered anxiety and depression in those treated in emergency rooms.
- Increases social interaction: Almost 50% of owners made new friends while walking their dogs, according to a British Poll.
- Gives your life meaning and purpose: “The interaction and companionship that a dog provides can also ward off feelings of isolation and loneliness, which, in turn, can lead to depression.” Natalie Marks
- Teaches you to live in the moment:
- “You experience the world through your dog’s eyes. When you’re on a walk, you’re noticing birds, squirrels, and the things around you. As we see dogs taking in information from their environment, it gives us a whole different perspective on the outdoors that we wouldn’t have if we were just strolling along by ourselves, looking at our phone, just trying to get exercise.” Rebecca Johnson
- Eases pain: Thirty-four percent of patients with fibromyalgia experienced pain relief, along with a better mood and less fatigue, after a 10- to 15-minute visit with a therapy dog, compared to 4 percent of patients who sat in a waiting room.
WFC welcomes the joy that pets can bring and especially embraces the remedial value of the emotional connections they foster with our clients. These special dogs and cats and other types of pets teach us about the importance of service and how to build meaningful relationships that deliver superior caregiving.
Westchester Family Care Inc. assists people of all ages by customizing home care plans to maintain a healthy quality of life and safety at home.
Contact WFC for an immediate family need or when planning for future needs: info@westfamilycare.com, 914)764-7500, www.westchesterfamilycare.com.
Westchester Family Care Provides Peace of Mind and Confidence that the Elderly Are Safe and Living with Dignity in Their Own Home.
*Sources cited in 7 Ways Dogs are Good for Your Health by AARP, May 31, 2019
BMC Public Health Study, 2013
The Gerontologist
American Heart Association, 2013
Indiana University School of Medicine, 2019
British Poll of 2000 dog owners
**Natalie Marks, medical director, Blum Animal Hospital, in Chicago
***Rebecca Johnson, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2012