Older adults – particularly if they are struggling to make ends meet – are at high risk of illness and emotional
disorders, the effects of which can be greatly reduced by pet ownership.
A pet provides companionship to an older person and can also boost their well-being.
In a paper published in the journal Activities, Adaption & Aging, researchers review the literature
on pet ownership by older adults and, after outlining the potential benefits to their physical and emotional health,
discuss the barriers they face in adopting pets.
Pets not only provide companionship, they can boost health in other ways, such as emotional support and increased
physical activity.
However, older people face many hurdles to pet ownership: they may be worried about the cost, and whether they
are physically fit enough to take care of and feed a pet. They may also worry about what might happen to their
beloved companion should they become ill or die.
In their paper, to illustrate some of these barriers to pet ownership by older people, the researchers tell the
story of Janet, a 75-year-old widow who is obese, has diabetes and suffers from arthritis.
Janet, who lives independently, describes herself as a cat lover. She has had many pet cats in the past and would
like to have one now.
She has seen a story in the local news about an animal shelter and is thinking about adopting a cat from there,
but is concerned about the financial commitment and what would happen to the cat if she became ill or passed away.
She is also concerned about what the adoption fees might be and the pet deposit fee in her apartment building.
The researchers note that Janet’s situation, the conflicts between her desire for a pet and her
concerns, is very common. They note:
“There are many older adults who feel that they could benefit from pet ownership and there are far too
many shelter animals in need of adoption. Yet barriers exist that can impede and often preclude this adoption
process.”
The result is a pitiful lose-lose situation: older adults are denied the potential benefits of pet ownership, and
the animals stay longer in the shelter and are at greater risk of euthanasia.
Perceptions of disability may be the barrier rather than actual physical limitations
In an effort to transform this into a win-win situation, the researchers discuss what might increase the chances
for older adults to become pet owners – particularly those who perceive their chronic conditions and cost as the
biggest hurdles.
While acknowledging that chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are rising, the
authors note that these do not necessarily result in disability. Developed countries like the US may be seeing
rising rates of these chronic illnesses, but levels of actual disability are falling, they add.
One explanation could be increased ways of supporting people with chronic conditions – such as the growth in home
care and assistive technology. Perhaps, the authors suggest:
“The true barrier to pet ownership for older adults may lie more in the perception of disability than
in the actual limitations themselves.”
They also suggest that older adults may doubt their abilities, when actually, they are capable of looking after a
pet. What they need is confidence and support to help them adopt a pet.
Also, they may set their heart on a pet that is more demanding – dogs need to be exercised regularly while cats
do not, and guinea pigs and rabbits require even less physical care – but perhaps they could be persuaded to
consider other options that are more compatible with their needs and abilities.
More creative solutions from professionals needed
The researchers suggest that health professionals and shelter professionals could work together and encourage pet
adoption and even “prescribe” the right pet for the right issue – for example, to address isolation, grief or
depression. Animal shelters could also set up and test programs whereby older adults could adopt pets on a trial
basis, they note.
In discussing barriers related to cost, the team acknowledges that these are probably the most challenging. They
urge all parties involved to come up with creative solutions. For instance, some meals on wheels programs include an
option for pet meals. And perhaps, if building policies considered the benefit to older, solitary residents’ mental
health of having a pet, they might lower or even waive the pet deposit fee – which the authors note is perhaps the
biggest barrier to pet ownership among poorer older people.
They also urge health and care professionals to include the effect of any human-animal bonds in their clients’
lives when carrying out care assessments. If these were taken into account, then their potential benefit to their
clients’ health may be seen to be big enough to override some of the no-pet policies that seem to prevail.
While many assisted-living facilities appear to allow pets, nursing homes do not. This can cause considerable
distress to an older person moving from one to the other. Perhaps policies cannot bend as far as to allow pets in
the nursing homes, but care plans could include provision to continue the human-animal bond – perhaps by arranging
regular visits from or to the family member or friend who has taken on the care of the pet.
The authors conclude:
“Future researchers should continue to explore the human-animal bond for older adult populations,
particularly for those with cognitive, physical, and financial limitations. There is so much potential benefit here
for both pets and potential pet owners.”
First author Keith Anderson, from the University of Montana in Missoula, says he became interested in doing the
study because:
“As a geriatric social work researcher, I’ve always been interested in finding creative, cost-effective ways to
improve the lives and well-being of older adults.
As already mentioned, cats may be less demanding, easier and cheaper to care for than dogs, but what many owners
may not realize is that cats can get stressed, especially if their routine is disturbed or they have to share the
home with another cat.
Medical News Today recently reported a review by a group of veterinarians from the Autonomous University
of Barcelona that discusses the causes and effects of stress in pet cats and also
gives advice on how to prevent and reduce it.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD