Pets and Unconditional Love

The fact is, pets give us unconditional love. And that means a lot to a senior citizen. And when we're not feeling well, they know that too. I am a senior citizen and have had a cat for about four years. When I was younger, I thought I was far too busy to have a pet. But now that I'm older, I find that they really supply an endless amount of love and devotion.

I work on the computer a lot. And about four times a day, my cat, Velvet, crawls up in my lap and looks adoringly into my eyes. And, oh yes, she can tell when I'm not giving her my undivided attention. She will raise her head back to be petted or softly put a paw on my shoulder, as if to say, slow down and pet me. Now who can resist that?

She loves to play. Her story is a little different than some. She was in a PetSmart shelter for the first two years of her life. She is a black cat with a little bit of white on her tummy. I asked why she had not been adopted and I was told that people shy away from black cats. What a shame! I've since read that black cats are more gentle than most. The bottom line, it seems she is really appreciative to have a forever home.

When you stop and think about it, everyone has a need to nurture, even senior citizens. When we are young parents we have our kids to love and take care of. When they leave home and have kids, we have our grandchildren. When they get older, there is a void. It takes some of us longer than others to become aware of that void. But as we get older, we come to realize how much companionship a pet can be.

Pets Boost Physical Health

I've read many studies of how having a pet increase chances of survival after a heart attack. They even help reduce blood pressure and help senior citizens with Alzheimer's. Dr. Lynette Hart, Associate Professor at the University of California reports "Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home. It also helps Caregivers to feel less burdened when there is a pet. A cat generally requires less care than a dog." According to Dr. Hart, Alzheimer's patients who were attached to their pets had fewer reported mood disorders.

Pets Help Reduce Stress

Look at that, how can that not relax you? By the way, that's Velvet.

According to Dr. Judith M. Siegel, professor of Public Health at UCLA, senior citizens who own pets usually cope better with stressful life events without entering the healthcare system. Several years ago, Siegel and her colleagues studied nearly 1,000 non-institutionalized older adult Medicare patients. She found that those who owned pets appeared to experience less distress and required fewer visits to their physicians than non-owners.



Loneliness and Isolation

Several years ago, I did volunteer work with senior citizens. The one thing that stood out to me was that many don't have transportation to go places. Therefore, they find themselves lonely and isolated. Dogs and cats help everyone overcome the pain of loneliness by supplying companionship and affection. For anyone who is consistently left alone pets can also supply a sense of security and protection. Pets can make you laugh and divert your mind away from troubles. They also broaden your circle of friends and encourage good health through exercise.

Studies show that pets can aid relaxation, promote health, and prolong life. They help us unwind. Nurtured by the affectionate attention of pets, stress and anxiety are eased. Anyone who ever bonded with one will confirm the value of a pet.

Let's face it, if you feel better psychologically and emotionally, it benefits your overall health. Many of your medical providers know that if you suffer from heart disease or stress, a cuddle a day may keep the doctor away. But if hugs are hard to come by, the next best thing may be a dog or a cat in the lap.