slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Gerontological Society of America

The image of Sully, a yellow Labrador service animal, lying front of the casket of former President George H.W. Bush will be a lasting memory for many Americans.

As research is still emerging on the benefits of challenges of animal companions in the older adult population, The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has been working with partners to stimulate scholarship and report evidence-based information on this topic. One result is a comprehensive new online brochure titled 'The Role of Pets in Human Healthy Active Aging.'

"Everyone interested in aging can benefit by reading this document," said Ian McDonough, PhD, of the University of Alabama, who served as peer reviewer.

"Older adults can learn about the benefits of taking care of a pet...such as exercise that will be sustained over time, unlike diets or going to the gym. Gerontologists and geriatricians can learn about strong, consistent evidence that pet ownership is associated with less depression and stress."

The brochure is available on the GSA website at www.geron.org/hai, and is the product of a multi-year alliance with WALTHAM/Mars Petcare to examine HAI among older adults and increase knowledge of animal-assisted interventions.

"The interaction with the pet provides companionship for older individuals, but equally important are the relationships that individuals experience by virtue of pet ownership," wrote former GSA President Barbara Resnick, PhD, in the foreword to the brochure. "Walking a dog in the neighborhood, for example, often results in meeting others doing likewise and engaging in relationships or interactions with these individuals on a daily basis."

This area of research provides an opportunity for those wanting to assess the cognitive effects of pet ownership," McDonough said. "Older adults have to pay attention to pets, look for changes in behavior, and watch for traffic and things on the ground while walking. This could prove to be a simple way of maintaining executive functions and exercising one's memory."

Carol Kelly

I have been unwell for sometime now and less active than usual. I have a Paptese and he is by my side always. Life would be boring and lonely without him. When we lived in England, pets were allowed in retirement homes and the older people in our village all seemed to have a dog to walk which kept them active and less alone. Pets are very important to the health and well being of the elderly and sick. Common knowledge.

woodguru

My Airedale was just a few months old when I took him for my father and his wife to see when they were in an assisted living home.

Ares was a rambunctious puppy, but he seemed to have an excellent sense of needing to be gentle and calm around elderly people. Other residents there loved seeing him, he's a super friendly dog.

He's doing something we need to break him of though, he comes up from behind and rubs you on the way by which can easily fold your leg up and take you down. As I get unsteady on my feet it gets much more dangerous, especially when going down steps and he wants to rub by. He's too big and strong a dog to be bumping an older person wrong.

BearK Loc: TN

The 10 Health Benefits Of Dogs

Improve heart health. Dogs don't just fill your heart; they actually make it stronger.
Keep you fit and active. ...
Help you lose weight. ...
Improve your social life. ...
Reduce stress. ...
Add meaning and purpose. ...
Stave off depression. ...
Prevent grandkids' allergies.

Slats - Even your wife may not love you sometimes, but your dog always will.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

The Sgt. Major worships me...as do our dogs, LadyBug & Peanut.

I think.