Are you thinking whether you should be taking care of your pet as you age?
When you age, you wonder if you should adopt a pet?
This guide will help you decide on the best choice for you. Studies have shown that having a pet can be advantageous both physically and psychologically for people of all ages. In the case of senior citizens, only 15 minutes of bonding with an animal causes a chemical chain reaction in the brain, reducing rates of fight-or-flight hormone, cortisol, and the development of nostalgic hormone serotonin.
The result: a sudden decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress rates. Long-term relationships between pets and humans can minimize cholesterol levels, fight depression, and even help protect against heart disease and stroke.
Getting a pet or engaging with one will enhance elderly people’s health and wellness, improving both physical health and mood. Get emotional support animal registration for trained animals as per your requirement.
There are a few key reasons why elderly people should keep pets.
Lower blood pressure
Scientists think stroking a dog or cat will help you relax and therefore reduce blood pressure. A 2002 study revealed that dog or cat owners had lower resting heart rates and blood pressure than those who did not have pets.
Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke
According to scientists, owning a dog can relieve stress and anxiety and therefore reduce the risk of heart disease. A study that looked at over 4400 adults aged between 30 and 75, including half who owned a dog, showed that 3.4% had died from a heart attack over ten years. 5.8 per cent had died from heart attacks in the community who had never owned a pet.
Better mood
Stroking a dog can be comforting to both parties. If you stroke a dog, a hormone called oxytocin is released, which is linked to anxiety relief. A study conducted at Uppsala University in Sweden presented at the 12th International Conference of Human-Animal Interactions in 2010, showed that friendly human-dog interaction releases oxytocin in both humans and dogs. It is interesting if you walk down the street with a dog how many people look at him and it brings a smile to their face. That really stimulates a positive emotional response.
Fewer visits to the doctor
According to Pets for The Elderly Foundation in the US, 21% of older people with a pet have fewer veterinarian visits. Owning a pet like a dog will make you more active. Being regularly active is noted for reducing heart disease and the risk of having a stroke, as well as reducing the risk of developing diseases like dementia and some cancers. Experts also agree that post-sickness or surgery pets will help us heal faster.
Better social contact
Walking a dog is more likely to promote social interaction and conversations with others and lead to an increased likelihood of new friendships. When you walk a dog, there is more risk of starting up conversations with pet owners in parks and other public areas.
Less stress
Stroking a pet is thought to reduce the level of stress-related hormones in the blood according to Professor Adnan Qureshi from Minnesota University. Reducing stress can help protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rate.
More affection and love
Focusing on taking care of an animal is a great way to give and receive love. Recognizing the treatment and bonding value of owning a dog and focusing emotional energy on a pet is a good thing.
More active
Dog walkers will naturally be active. A 1991 study showed that pet owners typically had higher rates of activity and less mild health issues.
A greater sense of comfort and security
The pets can be their key source of support for many elderly people who lack daily social contact and company. Ninety-five percent of the elderly people talked to their pets in a survey by Pets for the Elderly Foundation, while 82 percent said that their pets support them when they felt sad.
A positive focus and a sharper mind
A researcher noticed a marked improvement in her late mother, who had vascular dementia when caring for her dog. ‘My mother loved her dog and was always happier when she was around. When her dog passed away, mum was understandably distraught, but I also noticed a change in her mood and mental function. Her dementia seemed to get worse – she became less focused, more detached, and more easily confused. Her dog had given her a sense of purpose and focus.’
Animal therapy
Animal therapy is common in care homes, as it has been shown to reduce anxiety and enhance social contact in people with dementia. Alzheimer’s Society actively encourages those with dementia to keep pets for as long as they can or interact with them as much as possible. However, if you are taking a pet into a care home or to a person’s home, make sure they have the right temperament and will comfort the person rather than cause more stress. Make sure dogs are unlikely to leap or bark excessively and make sure pets are friendly and unlikely to bite when stroked.
Improved overall health
According to researchers, pet owners look safer than those who don’t own pets. According to pet study Allen R McConnell, a psychology professor at Miami University, people with a strong relationship with their pets are on average happier than those who do not have pets.
Hope this article gave you the reason to keep a pet for yourself or for your elderly loved ones. Spread love!
