Pets bring unconditional love, companionship, and entertainment for owners both young and old! Particularly for seniors, animal companionship is an effective way to enrich lives and keep feelings of isolation and loneliness at bay. Below are a few of the key health benefits of pets for seniors!
Improves Mental Health
Loneliness can be a normal part of the aging process for many seniors, and studies show that chronic loneliness has the potential to negatively impact health, including risk of heart attack, stroke, depression and early death. Pet ownership directly leads to a happier and more social life. According to an article by A Place for Mom, caring for a cat or dog helps seniors overcome depression or loneliness.
Keeps Seniors Active
Pets help seniors establish routines that keep them active and consistent. Dogs need to be walked, fed, groomed, and played with. Daily walks or playing fetch can help seniors maintain a fitness regimen and also give a sense of purpose. Other pets, like cats or birds, also need frequent play time and interaction. These tasks help seniors feel useful, and that is vital for a good quality of life.
Read the full article at: www.enlivant.com
