A scourge that strikes the elderly most violently is that of loneliness. Loss of a spouse, but also a social circle that withers when some die and others dwindle, or even sadder perhaps, the children and grandchildren who become more distant... whatever the reasons, the fact is that loneliness can strike them — sometimes quite suddenly — with often disastrous consequences for their well-being and mental health. And while a pet isn't a substitute for human companionship, one way to combat loneliness and create some companionship can be through adoption. Animals have been shown to have positive effects on both the physical and mental health of older people. Some retirement homes even organize pet therapy sessions, where animals are brought in to carry out activities with the residents. So, without becoming the old cat lady of the neighborhood, why not consider adoption?
As said above, the presence of a small hairy beast at home can break the loneliness. Not only at home, but also outside, since you have to take them out! It is therefore an opportunity to get to know other masters with whom a social – and human – bond! — rebuilds and maintains itself. You should also know that the company of these animals releases dopamine and serotonin in us, the molecules linked to the feeling of happiness. There's a reason why cute animal videos are so popular on the net.
They are also creatures to take care of, although they are fortunately less needy than a toddler. Nevertheless, this reinstills in their masters and mistresses a sense of responsibility that could have disappeared with the end of professional life, the departure of children or loneliness... However, feeling useful again also restores self-confidence. And as they say, well-ordered charity begins with oneself. Feeling responsible for someone, as small as a goldfish or independent as a cat, forces you to take care of yourself. This helps to prevent seniors from letting themselves be decrepit, as some of them suffering from depression and no longer seeing a purpose in their lives, unfortunately sometimes tend to do. Animals, like you, need a rhythm, and are therefore able to give it back to your life.
So much for the mental benefits provided by pets. But that's not all. The elderly, perhaps more than any other, need physical maintenance, so as not to leave their carcass abandoned. However, dogs in particular, with their regular walks, require leaving their homes and getting around on foot, a form of exercise perfectly appropriate for the elderly, since it maintains the muscles and keeps them mobile. And a good physical form is necessary for the elderly who do not wish to lose their autonomy and find themselves institutionalized. But all animals also require a minimum of maintenance, such as cleaning a litter box, and are therefore able to generate movement in the person who takes care of them.
Finally, dogs again have always been used to support people with disabilities, for example the blind or deaf. If it is necessarily complicated to obtain a real guide dog because of their long training, a dog can nevertheless prove to be the ideal companion for a person seeing his faculties sag.
The choice of animal will depend above all on your personality and your desires - do you want a real companion, almost a friend? or a purely decorative presence? — but also of your abilities and the attention you can give him. Some animals are almost like dependent children.
First comes man's best friend. The dog will suit an active person, or at least wishing to remain so. Because with him, it's out for a walk every day, whether it's windy, raining or snowing, in order to meet his needs - and there's no question of leaving his excrement lying around, unless you live in In the countryside. So you have to be strong enough to take care of a dog. Older people will probably prefer smaller sizes, which are less likely to accidentally hurt them in their emotional outbursts. Either way, a dog will undoubtedly become a daily partner, who will therefore be able to fill a life that has become too lonely. Attention is reciprocal, and if you will appreciate his concern, a dog also requires a lot of attention.
The other great friend of single people is of course the cat. Unlike the dog, it has the advantage of being relatively autonomous - although often demanding attention. He too is an animal with whom a strong emotional bond is woven, and some become truly addicted to his hugs and his requests for petting:the purring of cats has an extremely soothing effect for many. If a dog allows physical maintenance, the presence of a cat is therefore particularly invigorating for morale.
On the contrary, if you want to provide minimum effort, the fish are very suitable, since they only claim to be fed and to have a maintained swimming area. It's hard to make them your best friends, but the presence of an aquarium and the coming and going of fish have relaxing properties, and in particular lower blood pressure. The birds and rodents are also low maintenance, and it is possible to interact with them more than with their scaled comrades.
Finally, for seniors who live in the countryside, animals like rabbits and the turtles , or the chickens , requiring outdoor space, also have the advantage of not claiming too much attention, while brightening up and punctuating the lives of their owners.
We often say it to children, but it is always good to repeat it:a pet is for life – at least yours. No question of abandoning him after a few weeks because we were enthusiastic about a puppy from the neighbors' litter or we took pity on an animal at the SPA, before realizing that we not assume the effort that this requires. You have to weigh the pros and cons, and as such properly measure the responsibilities involved.
Thus, if pets are generally beneficial to the health of the elderly, it is still necessary to have the physical capacity to take care of them. Changing a litter, for example, requires regular bending; the water of goldfish must be renewed often; a dog must be taken out every day without exception… do not adopt an animal if you do not feel capable of taking care of it. Similarly, make arrangements for the care of your animals in the event of prolonged absence, such as during hospitalization. Good news on the other hand for animal lovers, more and more nursing homes are acknowledging the benefits of pets and therefore accept them within their midst.
As for the adoption itself (in the case of a dog or a cat, the others being simply found in a pet store):for an elderly person, it may be wiser to adopt from of an association. This for two reasons:the first is that your animal will already be an adult, which allows you to have a better idea of its temperament and your future relationship, and therefore to choose one adapted to your lifestyle. Puppies in particular are very rambunctious. The second is that, in the event of any glitch that would no longer allow you to assume this responsibility, the association could take charge of it or place it in another home. For example, in 2019 the SPA launched an initiative to facilitate the adoption by seniors of animals of which it remained the legal owner. Because it is sometimes the seniors themselves who did not authorize adoption, for fear of not being able to ensure until the end. In this case, this weight is lifted from their shoulders, since they know their beast is in good hands, whatever happens to them personally.
Finally, remember that pets come at a financial cost. In addition to at least biannual visits to the veterinarian which generate costs, certain services (sterilization, implantation of a chip, etc.) are more expensive. Know about this that there are mutuals for animals. So also remember to consult them before adopting. All this to say that an animal brings a lot of happiness, but above all it remains a living being with its desires and needs, and not a simple automaton there to entertain you.
