a new leash on life: how pets can improve your health as you age
having a furry friend around as you age may feel as though you’re just getting a little companion, but science says it can have a whole lot more to do with your well-being than you might think.
4 minute read
staying sharp as a person ages is vital in decreasing the onset of various diseases that affect cognition, such as dementia. it’s also critical because age-related cognitive declines are unavoidable, even in the absence of disease.
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owning a pet throughout life can be fulfilling and fun, but older adults may experience even more benefits than those in other age groups from owning a dog, cat, or other pet they enjoy having around.
while it does take some work because pets require constant care, adequate stimulation, and exercise, older adults can experience physical, mental, and cognitive benefits that make the after-retirement phase of their lives that much better.
pet ownership and heart and physical health
heart disease is more prevalent in older adult populations, with those over the age of 65 having an increased risk for heart failure and other heart-related health conditions. in relation to heart disease, studies looked at how owning a pet can impact cardiovascular health and found that simply owning a furry friend can increase the risk of survival in the first year after leaving a coronary care unit following a heart-related health event. the reasons cited in this study revolve around the companionship and social affiliation pets provide and the positive health effects of having that during a recovery period.
other research, mainly geared toward dog owners, has also found that the increase in physical activity required to care for a pet positively impacts heart health. if you have to take your new dog for a walk, you’ll be walking, too, and your heart will benefit from that. these daily walks are catalysts to support heart disease prevention in older adults.
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stress and cardiovascular health are also highly connected, and in older adults, experiencing high levels of stress can drive inflammation, high blood pressure, and higher blood sugar and fat levels, all of which can contribute to an increased risk of heart attacks, coronary heart disease, blood clots and strokes, and heart failure. owning a pet decreases stress levels and the stress response, reducing the risk of cardiovascular-related events.
the increase in exercise can also play a role in preventing or decreasing the risk of developing certain diseases, including cancer, diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. various other physical parameters of health that can be improved by owning an animal include improved balance and coordination, bone health, muscle mass, sleep quality, and weight management.
pet ownership and mental health
older adults are more at risk of certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. according to the canadian coalition for seniors’ mental health, as many as 20 per cent of older adults in canada have depression, with social isolation being a driver.
for older adults who live in hospitals or long-term care homes, those numbers increase to as many as 40 per cent. since depression is not an age-related ailment and isn’t typically considered a “normal” part of the aging process, addressing it in older adults can be done effectively by improving their overall quality of life—and pets can do that.
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there are three specific facets of declining mental health that can be addressed by pet ownership in older adults: loneliness, social isolation, and activities of daily living.
loneliness is often regarded as the most notable contributor to declining mental health in older adults. research notes that older adults who had pets at home were 36 per cent less likely to feel lonely as they had a companion by their side.
pets also offer a level of social connectedness that some older adults lack in everyday life, giving them the companionship they lack. this contributes to better scores in mental health.
owning a pet may also increase social interaction with others because when people walk their dogs, they are more likely to be approached by strangers for conversation or engage in socially charged situations, such as interaction with others at public dog parks.
activities of daily living were also positively impacted by owning a pet, with reports showing that people over the age of 65 who owned a pet showed less decline in their abilities to perform daily activities than those who did not own pets.
pet ownership and cognitive health
staying sharp as a person ages is vital in decreasing the onset of various diseases that affect cognition, such as dementia. it’s also critical because age-related cognitive declines are unavoidable, even in the absence of disease.
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when looking at owning a pet and its impact on cognitive health in older adults, research has found that owning a dog, cat, or other pet can lessen the effects of age-related cognitive declines.
the first reason revolves around sociability. pets often act as “best friends” and give people daily companionship they may not otherwise have access to. since loneliness, a lack of social interaction, bonding, and support all play a role in cognitive decline, having an animal around to hang out with in older age can address these issues, thus improving brain health.
according to data, people who own pets in their golden years also have better executive function, memory, visual perception, and overall cognition than those who don’t, likely due to increased exercise and stress reduction.
having a furry friend around as you age may feel as though you’re just getting a little companion, but science says it can have a whole lot more to do with your well-being than you might think. so, what will you name your new pet?
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