Having a furry friend in life seems like a blessing for many. And when an elderly loved one gets a pet, it will be a delightful experience for them. Pets like dogs, cats, birds and so on are really dear creatures to people. And when it comes to the elderly, you might find them growing really attached to their pets. In fact, they grow really close the pets so much that they might just become really comfortable around them compared to other family members.
When a pet can encourage the emotions like unconditional love, bond and companionship in mind of the elderly loved one of yours, it is obvious that it will contribute to a better quality of life for them. Scientific studies have shown that being associated with pets can offer various benefits to people. Now, when it comes to elders, the reputed home health care services also encourage to have pets and in fact, they offer pet care as an additional service too. So, if you are wondering whether you should bring a fur baby at home for your aging parents or loved ones or not, then you must take a look at the following points to know more.
Pets Promote Lower Blood Pressure:
Having a canine at home can have a relaxing effect on the members of the family. Now, if an elderly is constantly staying close near the dog or the cat, it will keep them calm and help them relax while keeping the tension and anxiety at bay. As a result, it will lower the blood pressure of the elderly people and that will help them keep the heart disease at bay. That is the reason why elderly care services also help with managing pets at home. And they also connect with many volunteering services that can bring dogs and pets to the hospice.
Cure for Loneliness:
With aging, our elderly loved ones become insecure and isolated from the rest of the family. They feel a lack of usefulness and that makes them feel even more isolated. That can make them feel depressed too. Also, that you are staying away, in another city, can create a feeling of detachment in the mind of your elderly loved ones too. In such a situation, having pets will make them feel less lonely and more involved. It has been shown in many researches that having pets in the same space can lift the spirit of the elderly people and lighten their mood considerably.
Help Staying in the Present:
When a person has a lot of time to spend alone, it is natural to start pondering over the past matters that can create issues in mind. It might make them feel anxious and sad easily. But when there is a pet, it will demand a lot of attention. Thus they can help your elderly loved ones to stay in the present. Communicating with them, seeing and responding to their activities, everything will keep them busy.
Physical Movement and Activity:
Different senior home care services encourage the elderly to go for a walk with the dogs so that it can help the elderly to do some physical activities themselves. For seniors, it is generally quite challenging to go for such activities. While there is a pet to walk with, it will help them to feel motivated too.
Pet will Help them to Loosen Up:
For elders, it is more likely that they easily retreat into shells while they feel alone, isolated, or not too useful or significant to others. Having a pet makes them realize that what they are feeling is not true. In fact, having a pet can help them loosen up too.
So, now as you know how pets can help the elderly loved ones what are you waiting for? Worried how they will manage the pets? Trust the agency of senior home care Massachusetts you are hiring. For this make sure you are checking that the agency offers compassionate care and pet care in their services.