Download - The Unconditional Love of Pets
It’s impossible to measure the joy that pets bring into our lives. • For many elderly people, pets are their reason to get up each morning! • Did you know that pets provide therapy for older adults?
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Research has found that stroke victims recover their speech faster because they talk to their pets.• Assisted-living facilities and nursing homes have discovered the benefits of having pets around. • Many will now allow their residents to keep a pet. • It’s just good business – happy clients are the best advertisement!• Elders, who move into a facility with a pet, adjust much easier, making it easier on the staff and less worry on the family.
• There are so many health benefits to keeping a pet. • They encourage us to keep a schedule.
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• Their need for taking walks can get us out into the fresh air for good exercise.
• And who doesn’t stop to talk to someone walking their dog. • These social connections are vital to older folks who often live alone. • For the older adult who has lost their spouse, a pet plays a vital role in working through the grief.
• Pets give us a sense of being needed. • Older people who have declined in strength and ability still need to feel that they’re counted on. • Pets depend on us for love, food and exercise.
My friend, Irene is in her mid 80 s and loves her dog, Sophie. “I just need a ′dog,” she said. “If I’ve been out and come back home, she treats me like the Queen of England!”
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“They have an unbridled enthusiasm for life,” he said. “Just a joy for living. It’s like a spark plug start for me even when this old body is tired. It’s impossible to stay depressed when my little dogs bring me a ball or a big, wet kiss.”
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• Experts have found that a pet can help lower blood pressure and ease the symptoms of depression.• And who doesn’t talk to their pet? • Verbal responses are known to stimulate the brain and help keep dementia at bay. Jim Roswurm, a retired veterinarian, enjoys his two Cairn Terriers.
• For an elder who suffers with arthritis or is recovering from an injury, a pet can also be a part of their therapy. • Throwing a dog a ball can help with limited mobility. • Brushing their pet’s hair can improve their grasp. • The love and companionship of pets are tonics to our bodies and our spirits!
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So, if you have a lonely elder, the chances are good that a pet would bring them great joy, a better outlook on life and the companionship they need.
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