How Pet Therapy Enhances Life for Dementia Patients

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Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT), has gained recognition as a valuable therapeutic approach for individuals with dementia. Interacting with animals can offer emotional, physical, and cognitive benefits, significantly enhancing quality of life for dementia patients. Below, we explore the key benefits of pet therapy and why it has become a popular complementary treatment in dementia care.

Provides Emotional Comfort & Reduces Anxiety

One of the most notable benefits of pet therapy for dementia patients is its ability to provide emotional comfort and reduce anxiety. Animals, especially dogs and cats, have a calming presence that can ease feelings of agitation and restlessness, which are common in individuals with dementia. Stroking or petting an animal releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of love and bonding, helping seniors feel more at ease. This connection can bring a sense of security and reduce stress for those who may feel confused or overwhelmed.

Engaging in pet therapy is known to boost quality of life, but seniors with dementia often require additional assistance to remain healthy and happy. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional elderly home care seniors can trust and rely on.

Encourages Social Interaction

Pet therapy can also help dementia patients enhance their social skills and encourage interaction with caregivers and peers. Animals tend to act as a bridge between people, sparking conversations and shared experiences. For seniors who may find it difficult to communicate due to their condition, the presence of a pet can make it easier to engage with others. For example, when a therapy dog visits a group in a care facility, seniors often share stories of their past experiences with pets, creating moments of connection and reminiscence.

Stimulates Cognitive Functions

Interacting with animals can stimulate cognitive abilities in dementia patients. Through simple activities like giving commands to a therapy dog, answering questions about an animal, or participating in pet-related games, seniors can exercise their memory and attention skills. Watching or caring for an animal also engages sensory stimulation, such as sight, touch, and sound, which plays an essential role in maintaining cognitive abilities.

Interacting with pets isn’t the only way older adults can receive mental and social stimulation. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Anchorage at-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.

Promotes Physical Activity

Pet therapy encourages physical activity, an important aspect of managing dementia symptoms. Activities like walking a dog, grooming a cat, or throwing a ball for a therapy dog provide gentle exercise that can increase mobility, coordination, and overall physical health. These small movements can alleviate symptoms of stiffness or fatigue while promoting a sense of accomplishment and purpose as seniors engage with the animals.

Enhances Overall Wellbeing

At its core, pet therapy is designed to bring joy and enhance the overall wellbeing of dementia patients. Animals can bring a sense of routine and purpose into a person’s day, creating moments of happiness and reducing feelings of loneliness. Whether it’s a cat curling up next to a senior or a therapy dog performing tricks to bring smiles, these interactions spark positive emotional responses and uplift the moods of those living with dementia.

Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Anchorage families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. To learn more about our highly trained caregivers, call us at (907) 770-0907.

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