Dogs in nursing homes

Benefits

Elderly people who live in nursing homes suffer certain social and health problems because they often feel unloved, they have trouble communicating with others and they end up feeling lonely and isolated and without much mental stimulation.

Several studies over the last 30 years have shown that the presence of pets can be beneficial in many aspects for elderly people who live in a nursing home, and for those who live alone.  Some of the aspects in which pets can improve the quality of life for the elderly who live in nursing homes include:
 

Affection without judging

Dogs and also cats show their affection with all their heart, regardless of the age, physique, mental health or personality of the person.

Drawing attention

Dogs, cats or other pets will draw attention due to their movements, their display of games and affection. This will motivate elderly people and arouse their interest.

Contact

Affectionate contact is something that many elderly people can miss.  Pets are warm and loving beings that can be petted, touched or hugged, which seems to help in reducing stress and promoting health in general.

Reminiscence

Watching a cat or dog will bring us memories of situations with pets in the past.  Remembering old times is positive for elderly people.

Games

Elderly people have few opportunities to play, but an affectionate pet can help them give free rein to their playful instincts.

Mental stimulation

Many elderly people lack stimulation, given that television is usually the only entertainment and it is very passive.  A pet will attract everyone's attention and will provide mental stimulation through the sense of sight, touch, smell and hearing.

Social lubricant

On many occasions pets have proven to facilitate social contact, and this can be useful for elderly people who live in a nursing home or who live alone.

Laughter

Elderly people also have fewer opportunities to laugh.  Dogs will always do something strange or funny and will cause laughter in those who hadn't smiled in a long time.

Therapies

In many countries all over the world, including Spain, therapies for elderly people include pets.  Some nursing homes have their own pets, which are usually cats or fish in an aquarium, because dogs need much more care and attention. 

Often, volunteers who visit nursing homes are those who bring dogs.  Now there are many groups who do this, and nursing homes are realising that it is one of the best means of enriching the lives of their guests. Some scientific studies have confirmed several benefits of therapies with pets, such as:
 

• •    Less depression

• •    Lower use of medication

• •    Less loneliness

• •    Less stress

• •    Better health condition, such as lower blood pressure

• •    Greater appetite
   

Thanks to the wide variety of benefits, this therapy has been accepted immediately. Nursing homes are increasingly more willing to have programmes with pets.  The term «therapy assisted by animals» is used to define this medical approach.  In many countries there are authorised programmes for the volunteers' cats and dogs, so this is becoming an increasingly accepted method to help improve the life of our elderly.