How Do Pets Help Prolong Health for the Elderly?

Companionship

• Elderly people live a variety of circumstances. As they age, some people lose their spouses or other loved ones. This loss can create difficult voids to fill, and the elderly may suffer from isolation and depression. According to Everyday Health.com, older people who own pets can benefit from "pet therapy." This therapy essentially derives from the companionship that pets provide, which may help older people stay more interested in current events, converse with others and increase chances to form new social bonds.

Resilience

• As people transition into the later part of their lives, many changes occur. Elderly people deal with physical deterioration, loss of loved ones and relocation if they move to a retirement community. These changes can be stressful, but studies show that pets can actually strengthen a person's ability to handle these crisis. According to a study published on Science Daily.com, a bond between people and pets can strengthen their resilience during adversity and disruptive transitions. Dr. Walsh, the researcher who uncovered these findings, explains that pets assist people by providing companionship, affection, comfort and security.

Exercise

• Many elderly people find exercise in old age increasingly difficult. Whether this challenge occurs due to physical impairments or simple disinterest, a pet can help. Researchers from the University of Missouri studied a group of elderly people living in an assisted living facility over a 12-week period. Some of the group walked with a companion while others walked with a dog. The dog walkers showed large improvements in fitness, while the companion walkers frequently made excuses to avoid walking. Researchers also noticed that many of the dog walkers stopped using canes and walkers when they had previously relied on them.

Disease

• Another advantage to owning a pet is that they appear to reduce Alzheimer's symptoms. According to WebMD, Alzheimer's patients who had a pet in their home experienced fewer anxiety-related outbursts. Pet visitations for people with Alzheimer's have also been found to decrease aggressive behaviors, increase social interaction, relieve disorientation and improve morale. Thus patients suffering from this disease do not necessarily need to own a pet to experience these improvements.

Stress

• The stress-reducing effects of owning a pet may be one of the greatest health benefits to the elderly. Stress causes the release of coritsol and norepinephrine, which can negatively affect the immune system. Many elderly already have impaired immune systems and thus cannot handle additional damage in this area. A study from the University of Buffalo in New York researched stockbrokers, a typically high stress professionals, and measured their blood over a six-month period. Half of the group kept a pet during this time and the other half did not. At the conclusion of the study, researchers found that the group who cared for pets during this period showed significantly reduced levels of blood pressure than those who did not. According to the Vancouver Sun, a study conducted at the University of Missouri found that pet owners have reduced overall stress, less predisposition for hypertension and more motivation for exercise.