CAREGIVER • SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2019 • 9
POWER OF PETS
Pets provide 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 either own
their home or be able to prove that they
have permission to have that pet if they
rent or live in a community where pets
might be restricted.
BY KAREN PRICE
FOR TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
STOCK.ADOBE.COM
CWoolorlrdMy
Painting by a Memory Care resident
Art is a way to express ourselves. For those living with
dementia, it can mean so much more. Residents with
dementia face many roadblocks when it comes to
communicating. The St. Barnabas Memory Care Team
often uses art as a means of helping residents to
express themselves.
Residents enjoy painting, adult coloring and trying their
hands at a variety of art forms. These activities foster
creative thinking and provide the artist with a sense of
accomplishment, increased self-esteem and pride. This
is just one way the Memory Care Team at St. Barnabas
helps color the world of our residents.
Formore information and to schedule a personal tour,
please call 724- 443-0700.
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