One in three people over forty-five is too alone, according to a survey conducted by the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). And the older one gets, the higher the chances of being too socially isolated become. Home care services providers can offer companionship services.
The pandemic, which discouraged people from getting out of the house and associating with friends and family has aggravated this problem exponentially.
Loneliness is not just a short-term blip. It can have terrible physical and mental health consequences such as dementia, depression, weight gain, poor muscle tone, and heart disease.
So, what is the solution to senior loneliness?
Pets Are Often the Best Companions
You’ve heard it said that dog is “man’s best friend.” For no one is this truer than the individual over sixty-five. Dogs and cats offer non judgmental companionship and unconditional love. Just petting a dog or cat increases the presence of oxytocin and serotonin in a senior’s bloodstream. Those are the feel-good chemicals that get suppressed when someone is lonely and depressed.
Not only that, but having a dog encourages a senior to get more exercise. Dogs have to be walked, daily, even if only for brief spells. For a senior who has become a couch potato, walking the dog may be just the low-impact calorie burn he needs to get fitter and manage a healthy weight.
However, thirty percent of older adults have the opposite problem: They need to eat more and eat healthier to improve nutrition. Studies now show that the presence of a pet can encourage seniors to eat and obtain better nutrition.
What Kind of Pet Is Best For Seniors?
Of course, you need to match the pet to the senior. For people who have mobility limitations, a big, energetic dog may not be the best solution. Although, if you have professional home care for your senior, you may be able to enlist your home care aide to help with the dog’s exercise needs.
Pet experts recommend smaller dog breeds like the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, and Poodle for seniors. Many animal adoption agencies are good at identifying which dogs in the shelter will fit into the quiet life of a senior.
Except for the poodle, the above dogs may need some brushing, but they may well tolerate a brush while resting in the lap of their beloved human. And brushing a dog might be very soothing for your senior.
Robotic pets
Not all seniors are well positioned to maintain a live pet. For instance, if your mother or father has dementia, a pet might not be viable. In that case, however, there are robotic pets that move and interact with humans in a pet-like fashion. These furry bots will lap sit your senior as would a live animal.
In conclusion, for many isolated seniors, a dog or cat may well be the ideal companion. Pets offer uncritical social engagement that it can be difficult to get from humans. Ask your home care services aide if pet ownership might be right for your senior based on their experience with your senior. Home care services aides can also help you senior with the care and attention the pet may need.
Sources: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/03/08/the-profound-benefits-of-pets-for-seniors.html
https://www.nylabone.com/dog101/10-best-dog-breeds-for-seniors