How Companion Animals Transform the Lives of Seniors for Better Health and Joy!

If you’ve ever shared your home with a companion animal or even just sat on the couch with a friend’s companion animal, you know how wonderful and personable they can be. Studies show that pet ownership can significantly enhance the quality of life for seniors, providing not just companionship but also fostering a sense of purpose and routine. When you get excited, they get excited too, and they intuitively know when you’re feeling blue. And let’s be honest, they make going for walks and hikes that much more fun.

Imagine going to the doctor’s and being prescribed … an animal, more specifically, a companion animal. For elderly people in particular, sometimes a furry friend is exactly what the doctor ordered. From psychological benefits, such as lowering anxiety, to social benefits of getting out of the house for a walk, companion animals do positively impact health.

1. Physical Health

For older people who are still capable of being active, a dog can get them out of the house and moving around. Regular walks with a dog can also encourage cardiovascular exercise, which is crucial for maintaining heart health in older adults. In a survey regarding the attitudes of the elderly regarding the benefits of animal companionship, 71 percent of participants said that their pets make them feel better when they physically feel bad. Additionally, pets can promote a more active lifestyle by encouraging seniors to engage in outdoor activities, which can improve overall physical and mental well-being

One study even found that animal companionship is conducive to higher survival rates in coronary disease. In patients who had recently suffered from a heart attack, the mortality rate among people with pets was one-third that of patients without animal companionship.

According to the study, “ approximately one million people die of heart disease each year, and animal companionship may save 30,000 lives annually.”

Furthermore, people who live with animals “lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and lower cholesterol” than those living without.

Results from a study of 100 Medicare patients show that animal guardians visit their doctors 21 percent less often and use less medicine than those without animals and recover faster from surgery and illness.

Not convinced? A study of Australian households found that the presence of a pet leads to health savings between $790 million and $1.5 billion.

In the US, “ Medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to just $1.80 per day per patient per day in new nursing home facilities in New York, Missouri, and Texas that now have animals and plants as an integral part of the environment.” See? Fido and Fluffy save lives and money.

2. Mental Health 

Of course, the mental and emotional benefits might be more obvious than the physical benefits. The presence of a pet has been linked to lower levels of stress and anxiety, as interacting with animals can release oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding and relaxation. One key benefit that animals play in the psychological health of the elderly is combating loneliness. Furthermore, pets can provide a sense of routine and responsibility, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors experiencing cognitive decline. When a companion animal lives with you, you are never alone. For young people, living alone isn’t necessarily a big deal since it’s not hard to go out and have a social life, but it’s not always as easy for the elderly, and pets can help offset the effects of loneliness.

A study from Pets Are Wonderful Support found, “Recently widowed women who owned pets experienced significantly fewer symptoms of physical and psychological disease and reported lower medication use than widows who did not own pets.”
Pets have even been found to reduce depression, which of course can stem from loneliness.

“Older pet owners have often told us how incredibly barren and lonely their lives were without their pet’s companionship, even when there were some downsides to owning an active pet,” says Linda Anderson, co-founder of the Angel Animals Network in Minneapolis.
Psychologist Penny B. Donnenfeld, who brings her golden retriever mix Sandee to her New York City office, has even witnessed her ability to rev up elder owners’ memories. “I’ve seen those with memory loss interact and access memories from long ago,” she says. “Having a pet helps the senior focus on something other than physical problems and negative preoccupations about loss or aging.”

Things to Keep in Mind When Adopting an Animal for an Elderly Person

Whether you are adopting an animal for yourself or for an elderly friend or relative, there are some things to keep in mind. The first is the mobility of the person in question. Can they get out and be active? Or are they limited in the activities they can do? For some elderly people, a dog might be just the friend they need to keep them moving, while others need a cat who can curl up with them on the couch or in bed. Consider the energy level and temperament of the breed when choosing a dog, as some breeds are more suitable for seniors due to their calm nature and lower exercise needs. Breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or Shih Tzus are often good choices for older adults.

Another factor to consider is the age of the animal. For older people who are slowing down, a senior dog or cat would make the perfect addition to the family. There are even shelter programs geared towards senior humans adopting senior animals.

Finally, senior citizens should create a contingency plan for the care of their pets. The SPCA of Los Angeles suggests keeping a card on you, in your vehicle, and in your home with your animal’s name and description, where they like to hide, any medication and where it’s located, vet information, and emergency contact information, just in case anything happens.

Other considerations include having transportation to the vet if you don’t drive, keeping the animal’s food bowl elevated where it is easy to reach. In addition, talk to your vet about your pet’s medications; they may be able to provide a liquid formula, which is easier to administer than pills.

Having a companion animal in one’s life is incredibly beneficial at any stage of life, and our senior years are no exception. Animal shelters are full of senior animals waiting to be rescued, and they have so much to offer. Before you know it, it really will be a question of who rescued whom, again? Additionally, adopting from shelters that have programs specifically designed for senior pets can provide a wonderful match for elderly individuals looking for companionship.

As more studies reveal the profound impact of pet companionship on health, it’s clear that animals are not just pets; they are valuable allies in promoting well-being and happiness during our golden years.

Easy Ways to Help Animals:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks or browse through vegan recipes on One Green Planet.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!