A staggering 5% of elderly people would consider committing suicide should their pet be taken from them when they were moved to a care home! In fact, 20% of elderly people would refuse to move into care homes, if it meant leaving a pet behind. This gives us some idea of just how important pets are in people’s lives.
As a live in carer, it is very likely that at some point or other you will be caring for a person who has a pet of some sort. There are some thoughts you should keep in mind in these situations.
While most of us may put our pets into boarding kennels at some time or another, for elderly people it becomes an upsetting and emotional experience to be apart from them. Sometimes the pet is the only thing that remains of their past life. Husbands, wives, and friends may have already passed away, and the only connection they have with the past is the pet. It is therefore vitally important that carers realise the role of the pet in the client’s life.
Often the pet may be as old as your client, and this will pose its own set of problems. Sometimes older pets my need to be taken outside more often, or walked at regular times, and fed certain foods. You should be prepared to listen to your client with regards to caring for the pet.
While this may not be entirely in your job description, you will benefit from the advantages of a pet by simply changing your own attitude a little. Dogs need to be walked – enjoy the times you can take them out! Scooping poop is a part of this, which while unpleasant, must get done. Take a deep breath and dispose of it!
Occasionally older animals become a little smelly, largely because the owner cannot smell that they need a bath. Be tactful when you suggest that you wash the dog together, suggest that your client help you in this.
Your client will more than likely have a feeding routine already in place for the pet. They may even be more concerned about the pet than themselves, so pay attention to what they feed the pet, and never try to modify this. Your client desperately needs everything to be kept as they have done it for years, because this is a comfortable and non-threatening situation. Changing things will disrupt them, and possibly upset them.
Should you need to take the animal to the vet, be sure to try to take your client along with you. The very act of seeing you leaving with the pet will be an upsetting time for your client, who cannot be sure that you will return with the animal.
If your client has a pet that sleeps on the bed with them at night, it is best to let this continue, no matter what your own feelings may be. Remember that they have done this for many years, and to change it now will be disruptive and upsetting.
If your client regularly brushes the pet, but cannot do it any longer, be prepared to take over that job. Try to do it in front of them, so they know that it is being done, and still feel included in the care of the pet.
You may want to restructure your day to include time with the pet. Remember that things will take a little longer when getting your client ready for a walk, as well as getting Fido ready!
Having a pet is one of the greatest things for an elderly person, and it is a well-known fact that people with animals are happier. In a home with an animal, it is your job to continue caring for the pet exactly as the owner would have. Equally important is that the owner still feels that they are in control of taking care of the pet. Never for a minute think that the animal is yours, or has any affinity to you. Your client must, at all times, know that their pet is still only their pet, and will always be their pet.
Deborah Stone, the Managing Director of My Aging Parent said that: "While all of us love our pets, for many elderly people the bonds can be even closer, especially for those living alone. Having to leave their pets behind to be rehomed, or possibly put down, is an emotional and upsetting decision facing a growing number of elderly people who are no longer able to look after themselves."
Her solution was to provide live-in care for elderly people who would then no longer need to leave their homes and could keep their pets and their familiar environment whilst receiving help and companionship.
She continued by saying: "Sheltered housing and care homes work for some people... but not for everyone. Sharing your home with someone who provides domiciliary care and possibly a level of nursing care can actually be a cost-effective and practical solution. It can also keep people close to their existing support network and social circle."
The benefits of pets to people’s health and emotional well-being are well documented, but less well known is that the Society for Companion Animal Studies reported that: "Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decrease in cardiovascular dementia risk and may have some causal role in reducing CVD risk."
Just 15 minutes bonding with a pet sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the stress related chemical cortisol and increases production of the chemical necessary for well being, serotonin. The result is that the heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels lower immediately. Over the long term, pet and human interactions can lower cholesterol, protect against depression and may even help prevent heart disease and stroke. These are the reasons that pets for the elderly can be so beneficial.
Dr Glen Mason, Director of People, Communities and Local Government, Department of Health added that: "Live-in Care is a long established, but relatively unknown, growing alternative to residential and nursing care, which substantially extends the care choice available to the individual. I expect Live-in Care to continue to grow in popularity and to become the high quality first care choice of many people."
