Pet Therapy: How Your Elderly Loved One Can Benefit

If your senior loved one has recently undergone surgery, is experiencing complications from an illness, or is simply lonely, he or she may benefit from pet therapy. This is a therapeutic method where trained animals (usually a dog or cat) visit people who are ill or injured in the hopes that the individual will experience physical and emotional relief. Among seniors, pet therapy is particularly useful because just 30 minutes alone with a trained animal can ease symptoms from heart attack, stroke, chemotherapy, surgery, dementia and Alzheimer’s. A leading provider of home care in Dayton further explains the numerous benefits of pet therapy to families of sick or lonely seniors.

A Natural Remedy

Although physical therapy is known to be helpful, the scientifically supported discovery of how pet therapy helps people on a physical, emotional and mental level is an exciting new development. Here are ways pet therapy is improving the health and lives of senior citizens.

Physical Improvements

• Relaxes seniors
• Diminishes physical pain
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves heart health
• Increases appetite

Emotional Improvements

• Decreases risk of depression
• Increases endorphins and serotonin
• Improves self-esteem and confidence
• Reduces stress and anxiety

Mental Improvements

• Increases socialization
• Reduces boredom and apathy
• Improves fallout from post-traumatic stress disorder
• Motivates and hastens recovery from surgery or illness
• Lessens feelings of alienation

There are numerous first-hand accounts of how animals have improved quality of life for the elderly. Pet therapy could help your loved one achieve the health and happiness he or she deserves, not unlike Home Care Assistance. If your senior loved one is lonely or recovering from surgery or illness, our caregivers can see that he or she follows a healthy diet and has assistance with physical therapy exercises, mobility support, and transportation to follow up appointments. To learn more about our comprehensive live-in and part-time care in Dayton, call [hca_phone] today and schedule a free in-home consultation.