Studies show that pet ownership provides many benefits for older adults, including preventing dementia and slowing cognitive decline. Pets also offer additional benefits to mental, physical, and social health. A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open earlier this year concluded that for seniors who lived alone, owning a pet meant that their cognition declined at a slower rate. The aspects of cognition that were studied included verbal memory, verbal fluency, and contextual verbal cognition.
It's important to note that for older individuals who lived with other people, the benefits of pet ownership were not observed. This means that, according to the conclusions of this study, there is no difference in the speed of cognitive decline between pet owners who live with other people and pet owners who live on their own.
As the number of older adults who live on their own has increased in recent years, the publishing of this study is very timely. Adding a pet might feel more manageable to an older adult living alone than trying to find housemates or revamping their living situation completely.
The study, which lasted eight years and included almost 8,000 older individuals, used research data from the ongoing "English Longitudinal Study of Aging." Researchers expect the study to yield additional important data on aging and cognitive health.
Specific Benefits of Dog Ownership
A study published in Preventive Medicine Reports in 2023 presented an interesting conclusion: dog owners had a lower risk of dementia than older adults who did not own dogs. This study suggests that there might be specific benefits to owning dogs.
Occurring over a four-year period, this study included data from over 11,000 participants. Researchers suggest that certain factors that coincide with being a dog owner have also been shown to reduce the risk of dementia. These factors include social connection and physical activity, among others. Dogs need to be walked, which naturally builds exercise and movement into the lifestyle of owners. While dogs are being walked, owners are more likely to interact with neighbors, building social connections.
Pet Ownership for Individuals Living with Mild Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
For individuals with the unique privilege of having the right support system, pet ownership can still be possible even with mild Alzheimer's. A study that took place in Finland over five years observed a group of over 220 older individuals living with mild Alzheimer's. These individuals were still living independently in their own homes. Of these 220 participants, pet owners experienced significantly slower disease progression and had better daily activity function than non-pet owners.
Memory Care Community in Southern California
MesaView Senior Assisted Living in La Mesa is a memory care community in Southern California. We understand that our residents' holistic experience of life (social, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical) is vitally important. Research says one of the best things you can do to delay or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease or dementia is to keep your mind active.
Our compassionate caregivers provide top-notch, individualized care to each of the members of our communities. Memory care communities are specialized residential settings that provide 24/7 care, safety, and support for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Holistic Approach to Memory Care
Memory care that takes a holistic approach engages a person on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. Providing an alternative to institutional care, MesaView's beautiful rooms and inviting grounds evoke a homey feel while still having enough space to accommodate specialized equipment for mobile care services.
Our caregivers and staff are familiar with the providers and organizations that offer mobile care services for the elderly. We collaborate with them to make sure your loved one is comfortable and comprehensively cared for. Don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a tour of MesaView today!
