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pet therapy for seniors

Therapy Pets at The Arbors

Most of us remember fondly a favorite pet. So when we see a dog or cat, we react in a positive manner. We smile. We make eye contact. We want to pet it.

Pets are good for humans.

Pet therapy has long been known to be beneficial. In 1859, Florence Nightingale remarked on the efficacy of a pet for the chronically ill.

Pets are healers. Pets lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and increase immunity. Dog ownership is associated with lower heart attack risks and increased survival one year after a heart attack. People who talked to a pet had lower heart rates than those who spoke to other people.

Pet Benefits for Seniors

  • Exercise.
    Whether you’re walking your dog or feeding your cat, you give your body an additional workout. Older dog owners make fewer visits to the doctor compared with people who don’t own pets, and doctors believe it’s because they walk farther with their dogs.
  • Better health.
    Studies performed in skilled nursing communities link the presence of a dog with a reduced need for medication, better physical function, and improved vital signs. Research also showed reductions in loneliness, agitated behaviors and depression, as well as increases in engagement, well-being, nutritional intake and social interactions.
  • Socialization.
    Pets are instant ice-breakers. If you have a pet, you’re probably accustomed to having people ask to pet it. If you don’t, you’ve probably been the person who asked. It’s likely you struck up a conversation, too. Socializing benefits mental and physical health, enhances self-esteem, and helps your mind work better.
  • Pain reduction.
    A Pittsburgh pain clinic study found that 10 to 15 minutes with a therapy dog not only reduced pain, it increased calmness and cheerfulness and reduced stress levels in fibromyalgia patients. According to Dr. Dawn Marcus, who conducted the study, “Clinically meaningful pain relief was reported in 34% of the fibromyalgia patients after the dog visit versus only 4% in the waiting room controls. Effects did not appear to be substantially influenced by coexisting mood disorder symptoms.”
  • Depression remedy.
    Petting an animal causes your brain to release endorphins, which lead to a sense of well-being and can alleviate depression.
  • Fatigue alleviation.
    Fibromyalgia patients reported a decrease in fatigue after 10 to 15 minutes with a therapy dog, as reported in the Pittsburgh pain clinic study.
  • Increased circulation and tactile stimulation.
    “Pet therapy helps hospital patients with tactile stimulation, relaxation, and circulation,” says medical massage therapist Pamela Rapiñan, whose dog, Mop, is a therapy dog.
  • Rehabilitation.
    Pets can be used to promote rehabilitative behaviors, such as throwing a ball or walking.

What Is Pet Therapy?

Pet therapy, also called animal-assisted therapy, includes everything from swimming with the dolphins to riding a horse to petting a dog.

Animal-assisted therapy uses dogs or other animals to help people recover from or cope with health issues, including cancer, mental health disorders, or heart disease. Therapy can also be used in nonmedical setting to help people with anxiety and stress. Animal-assisted activities provide enjoyment for people in long-term care.

According to the Mayo Clinic, pet therapy provides benefits for everyone around the animal. Family members and friends report feeling better, too.

Pet Therapy at The Arbors

The benefits of pet therapy for older adults are so significant that every single one of The Arbors’ locations offers pet therapy on a regular basis.

Therapy dogs may be introduced to a group and, at times, in a resident’s apartment. “The visits are a highlight of my week,” says one resident of The Arbors at Stoneham.

Patricia Ricketts, The Arbors regional Reflections program and activity director, said the program has proven beneficial for residents and staff.

“Our residents truly enjoy spending time with the therapy dogs. They’re full of smiles and laughter when the dogs are here. And, because our residents are happy, the happiness spreads to our staff,” she says.

“The handlers are very professional, and the dogs are well-trained and immunized. We have no concerns about the interaction with our residents,” she adds.

Because apartments are under one roof, residents don’t have pets in their apartments, although The Arbors encourages visits. Regular visits by a therapy dog provide all the benefits of interacting with a pet without the danger of allergy attacks, potential trips or messes.

At The Arbors, we do everything we can to ensure each resident lives a lifestyle of health and wellness.

 

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No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

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Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


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Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


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Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


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Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

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Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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