Animal-Assisted Therapy and Loneliness in Senior Citizens

Loneliness is a stress that can be traumatic. It changes the production of hormones, function of body systems, contributes to the start or severity of diseases, and prolongs the amount of time it takes our bodies to heal. The elderly are a lonely age group for several reasons, such as loss of friends and spouse, retirement or entering nursing homes. The older generation is steadily increasing, and many senior citizens end up in long-term care facilities that put restrictions on personal belongings, including pets. Residents also have to deal with separation from loved ones. Loneliness in these facilities tends to be a common problem. Animal-assisted therapy may decrease loneliness in elders.

Banks and Banks did a study that researched three long-term care facilities in Mississippi. It included 45 residents with no cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, or allergies to animals. They all had a minimum of a sixth grade education and could read and write in English. The residents were divided into three groups: 15 with no AAT (animal-assisted therapy), 15 with one 30-minute session of AAT a week, and 15 with three 30-minute sessions of AAT a week. They found that the therapy reduced loneliness in a statistically significant way (although there was no difference between the second and third groups). This research showed that long-term care residents would like to continue relationships with animals and that animal-assisted therapy can effectively reduce loneliness.

There are many benefits of increased social interaction with people when walking a dog. If the person has inherited the responsibility of the animal from a deceased spouse, caring for it may serve as a link to memories and ease the sense of loss.