05/06/2024
Dogs and Seniors
The benefit of owning a dog only gets better with age. Much of this is due to the fact that dogs can be our most loyal companions when we’re faced with life’s inevitables that can lead to feelings of loneliness and overcoming bereavement. Interestingly, dogs also make the tail ends of our lives more exciting— and even longer-lasting.
Dogs Make Seniors More Active, Physically and Socially
It’s no secret that people who own dogs are more active. This is great for any human but especially seniors with decreased mobility. What’s more, dogs also make seniors more social.
Older adults who walk dogs are more likely to accomplish more frequent moderate and vigorous exercise than those who don’t own dogs. (Gerontologist)
Dog owners have a 24% lower risk of death from any cause than non-dog owners. (Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes)
Dog owners have a lower risk of cardiovascular death because they have lower blood pressure and better responses to stress. (AHA Journals)
Older adults who walk dogs experience lower body mass index, fewer daily living limitations, and even fewer doctor visits than those who don’t own dogs. (Gerontologist)
Dogs Improve Seniors’ Psyche
In addition to easing seniors’ bodies into more active states, dogs also can ease older adults’ minds. Consider some of the following ways in which dogs decrease stress and side effects of stress in seniors, plus how canines improve older adults’ cognitive functions.
Dogs decrease agitation in seniors with dementia. (American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias)
Dogs can soothe Alzheimer’s patients and mitigate emotional flare-ups and aggression, especially in seniors. (University of California at Davis)
Nursing home residents report lower levels of stress when a dog lives in the nursing home. (Applied Animal Behavior Science)
Owning a pet, including dogs, reduces the harmful effects of stress for senior citizens. (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology)
Pet therapy, including dog therapy, improves cognitive functions in older adults, especially those in long-term care facilities. (Psychogeriatrics)