Isolation and loss of social interaction can lead to loneliness, depression, and other serious health risks for seniors in America. Whether homebound due to illness or physical issues, many seniors begin to feel cut off from the outside world. Those feelings of loneliness can lead to depression, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health conditions.  A new study proves that pet ownership can bring companionship to lonely seniors and enhance their quality of life.

Top Five Reasons Pets Help Seniors

     1. Calming the nervous system – in a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, interacting and walking with a dog gave seniors a boost in parasympathetic nervous system activity, which can help calm and rest the body. The study concluded that walking a dog has health benefits as a buffer against stress in senior citizens. Even patting and talking to a dog raises parasympathetic neural activity. Studies have also shown that Alzheimer’s patients have fewer outbursts of anxiety if there is an animal in the home, and their caregivers feel less burdened if there is a pet, especially a cat which requires less care than a dog. Many nursing homes and hospitals take advantage of this health benefit for seniors and Alzheimer patients by bringing therapy dogs into their facilities to visit with patients.

     2. Sense of well-being – the attachment we feel for our pets can be as strong as those with other human beings. Social attachments are important to the well-being of human beings – seniors included! We often feel securely attached to pets because of the unconditional love they provide. Scientists have found that interacting with pets releases the “love hormone” oxytocin, which is the same chemical used to create close bonds between humans, as reported in The Atlantic. The companionship of a pet also alleviates loneliness and depression as well as improves self-esteem. Stroking a pet is calming and soothing which can improve your mood, lower blood pressure and relieve stress, according to the website, Dogs for Depression. 

     3. Stress reduction – the emotional benefits of having a pet can help reduce stress. Owning a pet has been found to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in our bodies, creating a calmer attitude and lowering our blood pressure. These biological effects when someone feels securely attached to a pet reduce the stress response, which can affect breathing rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, or anxiety level. 

     4. Heart health – studies from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) showed that pet owners display decreased blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels which can help minimize their risk for heart disease. Studies have also shown that heart attack patients tend to have better recovery rates if they own a pet, such as a dog or a cat. These benefits are thought to be related to pets’ ability to reduce their owners’ overall stress levels and increase their owners’ level of exercise, such as walking a dog.

     5. Stroke Prevention – pet owners are less likely to suffer from a stroke. In fact, scientists have found that owning a cat can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by more than a third, as reported in The Telegraph. Researchers stated that having a cat helped to relieve stress and anxiety, which is known to help protect against a stroke by lowering blood pressure and reducing the heart rate.

The health risks of senior isolation are serious. Pet ownership provides unconditional love and companionship for lonely seniors and can boost both physical and mental health - sometimes even helping seniors live longer. 

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