Family Pets – Forgotten Members of the Care Team
Introduction
Vivien and her best friend, Sadie, sat on her living room sofa as they settled in for an evening of watching their favorite TV shows. Suddenly, Vivien’s 80-year-old bones felt a chill from the brisk wind that seeped through the window closest to them. Vivien turned to her friend and said softly, “It’s getting cold, Sadie. Be a dear and go bring me my sweater from the bed.” Without hesitation, Sadie got up from the couch and hurried into the bedroom. Within seconds, she returned with Vivien’s sweater. Nothing unusual here, right? Perhaps a bit more impressive when we consider that Sadie is a 5-year-old border collie that Vivien rescued from the local shelter.
The Issues
You may be wondering what this story about an elderly woman and her dog has to do with caregiving. The short answer – a lot. Now let’s look at the long answer. Much more than just companions, for many elderly adults, pets are their lifelines, helping them battle anxiety, loneliness, and physical decline. Research indicates that pet ownership among seniors is clinically significant, as it helps lower blood pressure, reduce depression, and increase physical activity.
By 2040, it is projected that there will be about 80 million Americans aged 65+. Over half of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 are pet owners. Well over half of them (88%) say their pets contribute to their enjoyment of life, and 73% say their pets help them to reduce stress. (National Poll on Healthy Aging 2019). But what happens when the elderly owner, who is aging in place, becomes too sick or cognitively impaired to care for their beloved pet? According to the Family Caregiving Alliance, “maintaining a loved one’s sense of identity – including relationships with pets – is a key part of person-centered caregiving.” So, when providing care for the family member, it is important to ensure that their pets are cared for as well.
Despite its importance, however, caregiver policy and support programs rarely address pet caregiving. These family members are often forgotten as critical members of the care recipient’s care team. Including pets in the care plan ahead of time will help make caregiving less overwhelming for caregivers who already have a heavy load just caring for their loved one. The additional tasks involved in caring for a family pet may include:
Walking, feeding, and grooming the pet when the pet parent is unable to continue doing so
Scheduling and keeping veterinary appointments
Purchasing and administering pet medication
Providing or arranging pet care during owner hospitalizations
or transfers to other facilities
Advocating for pets to stay with their loved ones, even in restricted locations
For a family caregiver who is already on “overload,” having a clear plan around who can assist with pet care can go a long way in reducing caregiver stress and avoiding burnout. Care planning for the pet should be considered right along with care planning for the family loved one. Along those lines, pet trusts and powers of attorney are becoming more prominent in estate planning, encouraging seniors to set aside funds and name a guardian for their pet’s care in case they become unable to provide care themselves.
Summary
For the elderly, pets are more than animals – they are friends, family, and peace of mind. They can have a substantial impact on the overall health and wellness of their owners. Therefore, in conversations around helping to sustain the quality of life for care recipients, caring for their pets should be included as an integral component of the care plan. As in the case with Vivien and Sadie, the human-animal bond can have a powerful effect on a loved one’s emotional wellness and stability. When it comes to caring for our loved ones, let’s not overlook or underestimate the significant contributions of our furry friends.
Until the next blog!
Thank you for being here, for reading, and for caring!
References:
-National Council on Aging, Four Key Ways That Pets Can Boost the Physical Health of
Older Adults, Dec. 17, 2024.
-National Poll on Healthy Aging: Pets and Older Adults:
https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/pets-and-older-adults
-ASCPA Pet Trust Guide: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/planning-pets-future