By Sally Writes
74% of individuals reported improvements in their mental health because of owning a pet. This only shows how pets can heal the mind and soul of their owners. In the lives of elderly individuals, having a pet might bring new meaning in their day-to-day lives. For instance, seniors have something to look forward to everyday when they own a dog. Here are some ways a dog provides benefits to the mental health of elderly people.
Unconditional love and companionship
Everyone loves to feel that they are loved. Unfortunately, a lot of seniors may feel unloved and lonely especially if they are living alone. Dogs offer companionship and unconditional love to their owners. In fact, dogs has a therapeutic effect to the elderly that increases their positive emotions, which also reduces the risk of mental health problems such as depression. Dogs make seniors feel they are loved and protected.
A renewed sense of purpose
A major concern of elderly is to find purpose at this point of their lives. They are retired so they don’t have to go to work everyday and their children already have families of their own. So, what is left for them to do? Enter dogs! They can give seniors a new sense of purpose as taking care of another living creature gives meaning to one’s life. Because they need to feed, walk, groom, and play with their dogs on a regular basis, they know that someone needs them. A 2019 study also concluded that pet ownership provides cues for self-care activities for the elderly, meaning that dogs also help in making sure that owners also take care of themselves.
Mental health benefits of physical activity
Physical activity is also an effective way to improve one’s mental health. Regular physical activity can have significant positive impact on depression, anxiety, and more. In the case of seniors, it can boost their overall mood and improve their memory. Dogs can increase physical activity of their senior owners because they encourage a more active lifestyle. By walking their dog around the neighborhood, seniors experience a cheap way to exercise. A recent study also confirmed that dog walking can preserve mobility among the elderly and increased cardiac functioning. Both the dog and the senior not only get to exercise, they get to bond with each other too.
Social interaction
Spending time with others has positive impact to the senior’s emotional and mental health. Having a dog increases opportunities of social interaction and social relationships from people with different demographic background and socioeconomic status. When the elderly is walking their dog, it is easier to greet other people, meet other people, and exchange conversations with individuals in the neighborhood. Dogs act as social catalysts for their owners. Talking and interacting with other people bring great joy to seniors.
A furry companion might just be what the doctor ordered for elderly. Owning a dog improves the quality of life of seniors. Without a doubt, a dog is a man’s best friend even at this later stage in life.
For a great article on the benefits of owning a dog, please check out “17 Beautiful Benefits of Owning a Dog” here, on Breed Advisor. (Special thanks to Becky Simmonds for sharing this site and article.)
