Ever since the world began, we already have animals to help us out in every way. Cows give us our daily supply of protein and calcium. Chickens provide us with a good source of niacin, phosphorus, vitamin B6, choline, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B12. Horses and camels are also good travel buddy through journeys.
But aside from all these, a recent survey conducted in the University of Michigan showed how amazing animals could be as pets for seniors too. The data that has been gathered from about 2,000 US correspondents, aged 50 to 80 years old, showed how dramatically it increased overall mental and physical health of the participants, as reported by TIME.
An online news page named US News, posted several ways on how owning a pet can help people, especially in their senior years. Some of the benefits are: it can help seniors escape from loneliness, pets can give them a sense of responsibility, and it also helps them manage stress.
A MEANS TO ESCAPE FROM LONELINESS
Studies show how vulnerable seniors are from being lonely and depressed. One of the main reason for such a feeling is their lack of a companion. Without anyone to accompany them but their caregiver and doctors, seniors tend to feel alone, which eventually lead to emotional instability. Pets such as dogs can alter this feeling, as they would always be there for their person to cheer them up.
GIVES SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
May it is because of their weaker physique, health issues, or limited time, seniors don't have a lot of things to make them busy. This in a way tends to make their life boring, which can eventually lead to a decrease in self-worth and self-esteem.
Having a pet can change that. It can give you more opportunity to find the senior's purpose in day to day life.
HELPS RELIEVES STRESS
Seniors are also prone to stress as much as younger people do. Unfortunately, they can only do little to manage it, since they are often taken for granted.
Good thing pets, just like a happy pill, can alter their negative feeling. By doing some small adventure with their best bud, seniors can experience a lot of things and focus more on the happy side of the world, than the opposite.
Given these reasons, experts now advise seniors to own at least one pet. No matter what kind of pet they choose: whether it is a dog, cat, bird, hamster, rabbit or turtle, adopting one can be very beneficial for the mind and body.
