If you’re feeling down, a pet can just be the medicine you need. When you get home after a hard day, sometimes you need to be greeted by a wagging tail or have a purring cat rest its head on your lap. The advantages of having a faithful pet friend, especially for the elderly, are many, and this is especially true for those who are alone and isolated. A senior may still benefit from pet therapy even if they cannot possess a pet. Even with in-home care providers around the house, your senior may need more companionship than them, and that’s where a pet may come in handy.
Understanding Pet Therapy
The use of pets in therapy is known as pet therapy or animal-assisted therapy. Through their interactions with the elderly, the animals enhance their quality of life. If you’re not a pet fan, the concept that a dog or cat may make an old person’s life better could seem far-fetched. Luckily, there are tons of animals to choose from that can be used during pet therapy. A smaller pet may be better for certain seniors, especially if they rely heavily on in-home care professionals throughout the day. Even small pets can have a huge impact on mental health. Every senior may benefit from pet therapy but be sure to ask a professional if this is the right choice for your senior.
Pet Therapy Benefits
The elderly may gain a great deal from pet therapy. The elderly population is disproportionately affected by social isolation and sadness. Perhaps they are widowed or widowers living alone. Maybe they’re at a care home for the elderly, and their loved ones cannot see them frequently. An elderly person suffering from isolation or depression might benefit greatly from having a pet as a friend. Having something to pet or touch has been linked to a decrease in heart rate and stress levels. An elderly person’s mobility and motivation to leave home may both benefit from taking the dog for a walk, even if just for a few minutes.
Even if a senior does not directly own a pet, just being in the company of an animal to care for may offer them a sense of purpose and make them feel appreciated. Mental stimulation is another benefit of spending time with a therapy animal. The elderly person may talk to the person caring for the pet.
The therapy animal may also bring up memories of a previous pet. Pet therapy has been shown to have several beneficial effects for people with dementia. Communicating with others may be challenging for those with dementia. Patients in this category often report feeling more at ease opening up to a pet. There is no need to worry that the animal will judge you or misunderstand you. They will be there to listen and provide unconditional love.
Hire In-Home Care as Part of the Team
A senior is likely to need a team of professionals to help them throughout aging in place. An in-home care professional and doctor can truly help make aging in place easier than ever before.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services near Redding CT, please call and talk to our friendly and dedicated staff. (203) 744-8380
Home Care Advantage provides quality Non-Medical Home Care for seniors and families in Danbury, Bethel, Easton, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Southbury, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and surrounding areas.
With over 25 years of healthcare experience working with seniors, our model and approach to non-medical home care services are straightforward, providing you with the compassionate care you deserve. Providing care from the heart is what we are all about; we proactively work with you and your family to develop a care plan designed to meet your specific need for assistance and budget.
In addition to having an extensive work background in healthcare, my recent educational experience allowed me to earn my Doctorate Degree in public healthcare. This achievement enhanced my knowledge of the ever-evolving healthcare delivery system and heightened my awareness that you cannot go it alone to get the best outcome. Additionally, I have seen how some of my family members struggled and were overwhelmed with ensuring that their parents were safe and their needs were met. They did not know who to trust or where to turn for reliable and affordable help. I have made it our mission to be part of the solution allowing seniors to remain independent and be treated with the respect they deserve.
We are committed to providing excellent care for our clients, just as we would care for members of our own families. Please be assured that I will use my knowledge and background to protect and be a trusted resource for seniors and their families.
You can be confident that our caregivers are carefully screened, dependable, and selectively chosen to meet the specific needs of our clients. They are experienced and highly trained to provide excellent quality care and follow a strict professional code of conduct and ethics.
Our caregivers are competitively paid directly by our agency; there is no additional charge to you. Home Care Advantage files Social Security/Medicare, Federal and State Withholding Tax, and Unemployment Insurance for our employees. Workers’ compensation insurance and a fidelity bond cover the caregivers and supervisory staff.
Our caregivers are here for you and will work hard to assist you with your specific needs in the comfort of your own home. It is said that “Home is where the heart is.” Let Home Care Advantage provide care that will enrich your life and help you maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of your own home, “where you want to be.” Call us now! We look forward to working with you and your family.
Dr. Beverly J. Ruekberg, DHP, MPH, MA, Ed.
President/Geriatric Care Manager
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