The therapeutic role of pets in dementia patients

For some time, researchers have observed that human association with pets is positive and can even have health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and heart rates as well as reducing anxiety levels.

“Many dementia and Alzheimer’s communities around the globe have noted the therapeutic benefits of animals for their residents and patients. As a consequence, more and more of these communities are allowing residents to keep pets and are organising therapeutic programmes involving animals,” said Ivan Oosthuizen, chief executive officer of Livewell Group, an organisation that specialises in dementia care.

Oosthuizen said Livewell has researched the benefits of animals for people living with dementia and found that most people positively light up in the presence of a domestic animal such as a dog or cat. “Pets can provide a source of warmth and unconditional affection and love. It is no secret that they can have a calming effect and lift the mood,” observed Oosthuizen.

It is for these reasons that Oosthuizen said Livewell encourage its residents to keep pets if they wish and are able to.

“Loved ones can bring the family dog during visits. We also organise therapeutic events and outings involving animals throughout the year,” added Oosthuizen.

According to him, dementia, a syndrome that is incurable and progressively erodes memory and cognitive function, impacts patients in different ways. Oosthuizen said many people with dementia do, however, go on to suffer mood shifts, feelings of loneliness, depression and apathy, and have difficulties communicating with others and, as a result, may increasingly isolate themselves.

“Quite often our residents who are showing signs of withdrawing from other people, find pets less threatening, and respond most positively and quite impulsively to a dog, cat, bird or other pet. This is an absolute joy to see,” Oosthuizen said.

Corlia Schutte, occupational therapist and activities coordinator at Livewell Village in Bryanston, noted that the presence of domestic animals and pets can have the following therapeutic benefits for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients:

• They can establish a strong emotional bond with seniors and can reduce anxiety levels and symptoms of depression
• Pets can provide seniors with emotional support, as well as a sense of meaning and purpose
• Domestic animals invoke feelings of playfulness, empathy and caring, and may help to alleviate boredom
• Pets are fun and may assist in motivating seniors to involve themselves in more physical and social activities
• Many people living with dementia who find it difficult to communicate with other people, often respond well to animals
• Pets may stimulate warm memories of previous associations with valued pets among people with dementia.

“One of our dogs in Bryanston, a three-legged female, attracts considerable attention from residents and generates all manner of positive activities around her. When she is walked, an entire little community walks with her. Another resident lives for her little dog, which almost certainly provides her with a greater sense of purpose, as she takes great pride in her pet,” said Schutte.

She said that Livewell Village in Bryanston (and Somerset West) offer a range of engaging events and activities to stimulate the intellect and creativity, promote physical activity and enable residents to feel that they have experienced a full and meaningful day. Regular arts and crafts classes, movement classes to music, physiotherapy sessions, outings and a number of other activities are also organised to assist in achieving this.

“We have ‘companions’ who visit residents regularly to assist in combating feelings of loneliness and isolation, and we also plan activities in which we use animals and pets. Over Easter we have arranged for a selection of farm animals to visit our Livewell Village, which the residents are very much looking forward to,” added Schutte.

Schutte said they plan their activities involving animals carefully and adapt therapies and activities to suit the needs of each individual while ensuring that pets kept at the village are properly taken care of.