The human-animal bond refers to the intimate relationship that people establish with animal species such as dogs and cats, among others. Therefore, it is important to know and understand this link and its implications and benefits for health.
This has great acceptance in people’s lives, with ties of love, loyalty and unconditional dedication; and older people give the pet a significant and important role and place within the family group, to the point of referring to it as my son, my grandson or the furry child. With this bond, the elderly feel important, with reasons to live. A study to measure attachment in adult pet owners, in different age groups, concludes that older people, especially women, have a higher degree of attachment and that the greater the attachment to the pet, the greater the beneficial effects for them. your health.
Functional capacity in older adults is given by the degree of independence for daily activities at home and role performance. Some studies show that dogs are the reason why the elderly get up in the morning at a regular time, they acquire self-discipline to get up early and go for a walk with them to the point that not even the adversities of the weather prevent them from doing so. During the day, the pet demands routine tasks such as feeding, walking and satisfying its physiological needs, activities that benefit the elderly to the extent that it keeps them busy, active and with the responsibility of planning the day to day to undertake tasks. physical and cognitive abilities that positively impact your mental health and functional capacity
As they also support in moments of loneliness and need for communication with others. The presence of pets favors family coexistence and helps to face everyday problems, as a kind of mediator that promotes communication and peace in the home.
In turn, they are beneficial in promoting health because:
- They favor the expression of emotions like joy and happiness with your presence in the home; or they are a support and a company that helps to overcome moments of sadness, anger and anguish due to work and family matters, improving the mood, reducing stress and restoring a state of tranquility. This mental health benefit is a cardiovascular protective factor.
- They promote the performing physical activity: having pets, especially dogs, is a reason to go for walks at regular times and satisfy their needs; reducing blood pressure, heart rate and body mass indices.
- They stimulate the social interaction: Pets promote and facilitate relationships with other people in the neighborhood, parks or social groups, around them there is always a reason to talk and share experiences. Thus being a connector for greater socialization.
For these reasons, the Elderly Person-pet bond is an adjuvant for the promotion of health in their family and community environment; and to this extent it is recommended that they be incorporated into care plans.
Intersaberes, Educational Professional Group: Lic. Del Rosso Julieta; Lic. Elissalt, Lucia; Lic. Ferreyra Luisina; Lic. Marchini Amalia; Lic. Torres Marilda.
by CEDOC
