The Powerful Health Outcomes Associated with Pet-human Relationships

Quality of life is a key issue for aging adults as they move through life’s transitions and changes. Interacting with animals, or owning a companion animal is a great way to combat negative health outcomes during the process of aging. Companion animals can help reduce health symptoms that are associated with loneliness and social isolation in seniors. This includes: lower blood pressure, lower heart rates, lower rates of depression and faster recovery when experiencing mental stress (Gee, Mueller & Curl, 2017).

Older adults who are pet owners have better overall health in regard to weight, fewer medications and better physical conditions.

In older adults, animal interaction and ownership has been associated with improving mood, reducing cognitive decline and combating negative health outcomes experienced during aging (Obradovic, Laguex, Michaud & Provencher, 2020). Human-pet attachments support healthy aging while simultaneously reducing negative health outcomes that impede an individual’s functional abilities. One-Third of older adults in Canada report living with a pet, 25% of these adults are aged 75 or older (Obradovic et al., 2020). In a study conducted by Heuberger, older adults who are pet owners have better overall health in regard to weight, fewer medications and better physical conditions (2017). If pet’s have such a positively powerful impact on an elderly individual’s health outcomes, it may be a constructive solution to address loneliness and social isolation for many.

Healthy aging solutions

Animal interaction and companion animals are a great way to combat loneliness and social isolation in seniors. However, due to living circumstances and individual functionality, not all seniors have the opportunity to own a pet. Research also suggests that the opportunity to provide care for another living thing, such as a plant, can have positive impacts on mental and physical health while reducing rates of negative health outcomes associated with social isolation (Obradovic et al., 2020). Having daily responsibilities, purpose and companionship encourages positive health outcomes that create a better quality of life for seniors as they age.

Some other avenues for engaging in healthy aging include: physical exercise, engaging with nature, eating healthy, brain exercises and finding purpose. Aging should be an enjoyable experience that is not hindered by poor health, stress and loneliness. Seniors who engage in animal-human interactions may notice the positive impacts animals have on our health and mental wellness.

References:

Gee, N. R., Mueller, M. K., & Curl, A. L. (2017). Human-animal interaction and older adults: an overview. Frontiers in Psychology, 8

Heuberger, R. (2017) Associations of pet ownership with older adults eating patterns and health. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research

Obradovic, N., Lagueux, E., Michaud, F., & Provencher, V. (2020). Pros and cons of pet ownership in sustaining independence in community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review. Ageing & Soceity, 40