Pet therapy is an increasingly popular and effective approach in in-home senior care. By providing seniors with opportunities to interact with pets, in-home caregiving services are leveraging the profound mental, emotional, and physical benefits pets can offer. Below, we explore the many ways pet therapy enriches the lives of seniors receiving care at home.
Increased Emotional Wellbeing
Many seniors experience feelings of loneliness or isolation, especially when living independently or with limited social interactions. Pets, whether dogs, cats, or even smaller animals like birds or rabbits, provide companionship that reduces these emotions. Multiple studies highlight how interacting with pets triggers the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, which can combat depression and anxiety.
For seniors experiencing grief, life changes, or declining health, spending time with an affectionate animal can provide comfort and emotional stability. Pet therapy creates a meaningful bond that brings joy and reassurance to seniors in their homes.
Enhanced Social Interaction
Pet therapy doesn’t just stop at the bond formed between the senior and the animal. It also encourages increased social interaction. When caregivers, friends, or family engage with seniors through pet therapy, it provides natural conversation starters and shared experiences.
Additionally, seniors who participate in walks or outdoor activities with therapy dogs may get opportunities to meet others in the neighborhood, fostering a sense of community. For those with mobility constraints, pets provide a friendly and relaxed avenue for communication within the home.
Interacting with pets isn’t the only way older adults can receive mental and social stimulation. For families living in Naples, senior care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Greater Physical Health Benefits
Pet therapy can significantly benefit a senior’s physical health. Activities like stroking, brushing, or feeding a pet increase fine motor skills, while walking a dog can encourage physical activity that supports joint and cardiovascular health.
For bedridden seniors, the mere act of reaching out to pet or hold an animal can help them maintain blood circulation and muscle activity. Research has even linked interactions with animals to reduced blood pressure and lower stress hormone levels, promoting better heart health.
Reduced Cognitive Decline
For seniors facing cognitive challenges due to conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, pet therapy can be incredibly therapeutic. Spending time with pets often stimulates memory recall and cognitive skills. For example, seniors may remember pets they owned in the past or feel motivated to engage more actively in daily caregiving routines.
The consistent and structured activities of pet therapy, such as feeding or cuddling the animals, can help seniors maintain a sense of purpose and routine. These small but significant interactions increase focus and reduce the occurrence of agitation often associated with cognitive decline.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Naples families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.
Increased Sense of Purpose
For seniors receiving in-home care, building a sense of routine is crucial. Taking care of a pet or spending designated time with therapy animals can create a structured schedule, which adds predictability to their day. This structure can help seniors having difficulty orienting themselves due to memory or sensory impairments.
Furthermore, taking care of animals instills a renewed sense of purpose in seniors. Knowing animals depend on their care motivates many elderly individuals to be active, attentive, and emotionally engaged.
Engaging in pet therapy is known to boost quality of life, but seniors often require additional assistance to remain healthy and happy. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional in-home care seniors can trust and rely on. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate professional care for your loved one. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today.
