Old age comes with many challenges for the aging person that includes chronic diseases and cognitive lapses. Of the cognitive health issues facing seniors, the most common is dementia, which compromises cognitive functions. Alzheimer’s disease is the best-known form of dementia, afflicting many old people around the world.
Patients with these conditions need constant care, the presence of company at all times to help them cope, and this can, in turn, overwhelm family members. This is where specially trained pets can serve as permanent friends and caregivers to these patients. Here are some benefits of pet therapy for seniors.
Dogs provide emotional stability
One of the side effects of dementia is language and speech difficulty that can be very stressful, leading to bouts of anxiety and low self-esteem. Stroking a dog that is equally “mute” in verbal communication can help calm and soothe the patient’s nerves and stabilize their emotions. There is a deeper explanation of it on OurFitPets.com.
According to this website, experts can train dogs as dementia therapy caregivers to their human parents in a special program for this purpose.
These specially trained dogs help their pet parents wake in the morning, find their clothes, and fetch medications. They are so good at their job that they can actually stop the patient from living the house if no other family member is present
Reliable company
For seniors staying alone, loneliness and the feeling of isolation can be devastating to their wellbeing leading to withdrawal and eventual depression. This feeling can worsen if the old person recently lost their spouse of many years and there was no family support for comfort.
A family dog usually comes in handy to fill the void and provide the much-needed company relieving the old person of anxiety and loneliness. Having a pet to care for gives one something to do, a sense of responsibility, and saves them from focusing on their lonely state at home.
Exercise partners
Physical exercise is good at all ages but more so in old age to improve blood circulation and the working of the heart. It is a recommended healthy lifestyle and stress reliever.
Whereas a session at the local gym could be asking for too much from seniors, walking the dog is more fun and achieves the same results at no added cost. The old person can walk his or her dog at any time they choose without waiting for busy family members who might not find time to accompany them.
Confidence boosting independence
The only thing dementia service dogs lack is human speech; otherwise, they are as good as human caregivers if not better in some areas. They are good and loyal listeners to their pet parent, always lending an ear without judgment.
They give their pet parent a sense of independence, self-reliance, and good feeling that is good for their overall wellbeing. Not having to call someone to fetch your meds or clothes for you is such a good thing for a senior who wants to retain some modicum of dignity despite the effects of dementia.
Encourages socialization
With the improved sense of wellbeing and independence knowing their loyal helper is beside them, dementia or Alzheimer’s patients can take courage to venture out to public places to mingle and socialize. The anxiety that normally grips them when out alone is minimized in the company of their dementia service dog.
The special dogs provide the kind of care that is vital for seniors and those suffering from cognitive complications a lot conveniently than their human counterparts. The dementia dog project promises to be integral to old age therapy.