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Step 1
Use a dog to socialize. A dog can provide day to day interaction for any elderly person. Rather than having no one to interact with, an elderly person will have plenty to do when keeping up with a dog. There are many ways that a dog can help with interaction with other humans as well. A dog can often provide an ice breaker when sitting in the park and can provide a conversational aspect, such as having something to talk about. It can also help older people meet other animal lovers and make new friends. It is often easier to make a new friend if you have something in common.
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Step 2
Use a dog for the "empty nest" resolution. Many elderly parents suffer with empty nest syndrome as their children grow and move away. Some feel as if they no longer are useful or that they no longer are needed by anyone. Owning a dog can help elderly people feel as if they have a purpose. They will need to feed, water, and bathe the animal, not to mention play with it regularly. This can make many people fell as if they are needed and someone depends upon them.
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Step 3
Exercise with your dog. Since a dog will need to be walked and played with, many elderly people will find they are more active. Rather than stay home and sit around, a dog will force the owner to get out and do things. There are often many activities that can be done with a dog that provide excellent exercise. Elderly people can play fetch or Frisbee, or can simply walk with the animal. Because the activities provide beneficial ways to stay in shape or healthy, these simple exercises can often lead to a longer, healthier, and more active life. Some people will be able to stay active much longer than if they had not exercised at all. Patients who have medical conditions like heart disease or high cholesterol will find they are in much better condition after a few months just walking their dog.
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Step 4
Use a dog for protection purposes. In the same way that dogs can be trained to help people who have a disability, a dog can be trained to help an elderly person. Many dogs are trained to perform certain tasks in the case of an emergency. A button can be installed that allows a dog to push in an emergency and summon help. Dogs can also be trained to help with daily activities like picking up items. For an elderly person who has problems bending over to pick things up, this can be a useful skill. There are actually many people who have suffered a stroke or heart attack and their animal has come to the rescue. In the case of a fire or weather event, animals are often the first to wake the owner. Many people have escaped burning houses simply because a dog barked and woke them up.
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Step 5
Use a dog to stay calm. Animals can also provide a natural calming effect on humans. They can lower stress and even blood pressure. When an owner feels like they have had too much, they can sit down and pet the animal and feel much better. Animals often have a sixth sense that the owner does not feel good or is stressed out and will come forward to cuddle or lay in an owners lap. Many people find this very helpful and calming.
Comments
Altair4 said
on 5/25/2009 My mom was in assisted living before she passed, she always lit up when ever we brought the dogs along, great article 5*
blueskye0707 said
on 4/16/2009 I love your article on How to Use Dogs to Help the Elderly! I completely agree...dogs can sense your mood. 5*****
Smireles said
on 4/10/2009 Excellent article on pet therapy. Many people benefit by introducing pets. However, one caution. Make sure the person receiving the dog really is willing to be responsible for the care of the dog. We wanted to give my mother a pet and she did not do well with a dog. Now she has birds and they have worked wonders for her. Good article!