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Pets: The key to elderly health and happiness
24 August,
1998
The role of pets in alleviating loneliness and preventing illness will
become more significant as our population ages and pressure on the healthcare
system mounts.
According to Dr Joanne Righetti, Animal Behaviour Consultant, caring
for a pet has scientifically been proven to alleviate loneliness and
depression, reduce illness, lower the risk of heart disease, relieve
stress and aid recovery from illness and surgery.
Some of the ways in which the 'golden' touch of pets is currently being
used in Australia to benefit the elderly is through visiting or live-in
pets in hospitals and nursing homes and a program that helps elderly
people look after their pet in their own home.
"While these health and well-being benefits extend across all age-groups
they are particularly important in the burgeoning elderly population
where the likelihood of living without human companions increases, and
with it, loneliness and illness" Dr Righetti said.
It is evident that in this age group pets have a significant role to
play in increasing quality of life.
Centre Manager at the Villa Maria Society's O'Neill Age Care Residence
in Prahran, Victoria, Mrs Jill Segan, cannot imagine life at the centre
without their resident canine friend, one-year old Labrador Retriever,
Sally.
Sally was trained at the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia for
the Pets As Therapy program.
"Having Sally at O'Neill has dramatically increased the quality
of life for many of our residents" Mrs Segan said.
"She has a lovely nature and is wonderful at drawing the residents
out and getting people, who are generally not very interactive, smiling
and talking to her and to other residents as well. For others, she provides
activity and exercise with ball games and grooming, or simply pleasant,
nostalgic companionship" Mrs Segan said.
Sally is the Centre's second dog, their first dog, Brandy, died at the
age of ten, after eight year's loving service.
"When Brandy died, one of our more introverted residents, who hardly
ever spoke to anyone at the Centre, walked-up to reception and surprised
everyone by demanding, "Where’s the dog?" Mrs Segan recalled.
To assist the elderly in caring for their pets at home Victoria's City
of Port Phillip council last year launched Petlinks as part of their
Home and Community Care Program. The program helps elderly people gain
the full benefit from animal companionship while remaining in their
own home.
Petlinks matches volunteers with elderly people who need assistance
in looking after their pet. The program has been so successful in the
Port Phillip area that a training and implementation manual has been
developed and is now available to other councils.
"Numerous international studies have found that animals can effectively
intervene the process of ageing and increase the physical, social and
psychological quality of life in old age. They can also significantly
reduce the stress and grief associated with losing a spouse or loved
one" Dr Righetti said.
Australia is currently home to 3.8 million dogs and 2.7 million cats
but the 65+ age group is the least likely to own a pet.
A recent study found that the annual national health cost savings resulting
from the health and well being benefits pet owners gain could be up
to $1.5 billion