CAREGIVER • SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2019 • 9
POWER OF PETS
Pets provide many benefits for older adults
Whether you’re a pet owner or
not, chances are you’ve heard a report
or read a story about the physical,
mental and emotional benefits
animals can bring to people’s lives.
The website petsfortheelderly.org
lists countless articles and studies
under its research section that link
pet ownership to benefits ranging
from decreased blood pressure, decreased
cholesterol and decreased
triglyceride levels to decreased
feelings of loneliness and increased
opportunities for socialization.
The National Poll on Healthy
Aging, sponsored by AARP and the
University of Michigan, was released
in the spring.
It showed that the vast majority
of respondents ages 50 to 80 who
had pets said that the animals
provided both physical and mental
benefits.
Nine out of 10 pet owners said
their animals helped them enjoy
life and feel loved. Eight out of 10
said the pets helped reduce stress.
Roughly two-thirds responded
that pets helped them stick to a
routine and stay physically active.
But how do you know if a pet is
right for an older loved one? How
do you know which pet is right,
and what factors should be considered
before introducing a new pet
to your loved one’s household?
Katie Vecchi is an adoptions
counselor at Animal Friends in
Pittsburgh and said there are a
number of factors that potential
pet owners should first consider:
• Housing arrangements: In
order to adopt an animal from
Animal Friends, people need to
BY KAREN PRICE
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