Is Pet Therapy Going to Help Your Elderly Loved One?
Having animals in the house can help people in numerous ways. It can make them more physically active, help with their mental health, and encourage independence. For senior citizens, pet therapy may be beneficial. Many family caregivers have looked into pet therapy for their elderly loved ones. If this is something you are considering for your elderly loved one, keep reading to learn how it can help them.
Boosted Self-Esteem
Senior Care Deerfield, IL: Pet Therapy
One of the many ways that pet therapy can help your elderly loved one is by boosting their self-esteem. When your elderly loved one is responsible for the care of a pet and they succeed, this can boost their self-esteem. It can make them feel as if they are capable of doing more in their day-to-day life. If your elderly loved one currently has self-esteem issues, getting them a pet can help to change that. It should be noted that you or an senior care provider may need to help with some of the pet-related tasks, as your elderly loved one may not be able to do it on their own.
Less Isolation
Has your elderly loved one been feeling isolated from everyone? This is how many elderly people have felt since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many elderly people felt isolated even before the pandemic started. However, if you get your elderly loved one a pet, the pet can offer them companionship. The pet will ensure that your elderly loved one is never on their own. This can greatly reduce their feelings of isolation.
Reduced Blood Pressure
Did you know that pets can help to lower blood pressure? There is something relaxing about taking care of a pet. The companionship, unconditional love, and physical exercise obtained from having a pet can all lower blood pressure. If your elderly loved one has high blood pressure, even if they are already taking medication to lower their blood pressure, a pet can help, as well. It should be noted that you should only get your elderly loved one a pet if they want one. Otherwise, the pet could cause their blood pressure to rise.
Conclusion
These are just some ways that pet therapy can help your elderly loved one. The things being talked about here today involve getting your elderly loved one a pet of their own. However, if this isn’t a possibility, you or a senior care provider can drive your loved one to pet therapy sessions. You can do a quick search online to find pet therapy in or near your elderly loved one’s town.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care in Deerfield, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4248608/
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