Can Pet Therapy Help Lonely Seniors in Nursing Homes?
Posted in General on February 14, 2012Loneliness is a widespread problem in many Kentucky nursing homes. Recent studies show that as many as 60% of all elderly people experience loneliness. Loneliness is often accompanied by depression, which can have adverse effects on seniors’ health; at its extremes, feelings of loneliness can contribute to suicidal thoughts. Suicide rates in U.S. nursing homes remain unacceptably high, at 19 suicides for every 100,000 residents.
A group of middle school students in Henderson County, Kentucky is trying to alleviate that loneliness. Last week, with the assistance of the New Hope Animal Rescue Center, students at South Middle School brought three dogs, Sonnie, Peter and Maddie, into the home to meet with residents at Redbanks Nursing Home in Henderson, KY.
Studies show that depression and loneliness can harm the health of nursing home residents. Symptoms like verbal aggression, urinary incontinence, increased pain, weight loss and reduced cognitive ability often occur alongside depression. Many nursing home residents may have recently lost a spouse of many years, or they may be living far from family and friends. Those situations only exacerbate their loneliness.
However, many studies have shown that animal assistance therapy can reduce the loneliness of residents in long term care facilities. The results of one new study show that residents are much less lonely after spending time alone with a dog. There are a number of projects across the country, similar to the one initiated by the South Middle School students, that work to bring residents in contact with animals. In many cases, residents may have had lifelong relationships with pets that they had to sever on entering the nursing home.
These projects offer them the opportunity to renew the care and companionship they have experienced with animals. One St. Louis study even showed that residents who interacted with a doggie robot experience considerably less loneliness than those who did not.
The bottom line is that nursing homes may be able to mitigate the feelings of depression or loneliness among nursing home residents by offering the opportunity to interact with canine companions.
More Information:
Nursing home residents enjoy visit from students, rescue animals
Therapy Dogs International
Nursing home therapy dogs: courage givers, door openers and conversation starters
Nursing Home Residents Prefer Visits with Dogs, without People
Loneliness Widespread Among the Elderly
Robotic Dog Makes Nursing Home Residents Less Lonely
