Influence of Companion Animals on the Physical and Psychological Health of Older People: An Analysis of a One‐Year Longitudinal Study

Raina, Parminder; Waltner-Toews, David; Bonnett, Brenda N.; Woodward, Christel A.; Abernathy, Tom

doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.1999.tb02996.x

Cited by 295 publications

(214 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…From the focus group discussions there emerged such themes as physical stimulation from dog-walking, psychosocial benefits from contact with dogs, and dogs being seen as providers of safety, security, and protection (Knight and Edwards, 2008). These results are in line with categories in our study, and are further confirmed by a longitudinal study of almost a thousand participants aged ≥65 years, who completed a telephone-administered questionnaire (Raina et al, 1999). Raina et al (1999) concluded that companion animals helped maintain or enhance the physical health of older people and could also positively affect their psychological well-being.…”

Section: Perceiving Animals As Family Memberssupporting

confidence: 90%

Living with companion animals after stroke: experiences of older people in community and primary care nursing

Johansson

Ahlström

Jönsson

2014

Br J Community Nurs

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Living with companion animals after stroke: experiences of older people in community and primary care nursing.Johansson, Maria; Ahlström, Gerd; Jönsson, Ann-Cathrin Ahlström, G., & Jönsson, A-C. (2014). Living with companion animals after stroke: experiences of older people in community and primary care nursing. British Journal of Community Nursing, 19(12), 578-584. DOI: 10.12968/bjcn.2014.19.12.578 General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.• Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research.• You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal AbstractOlder people often have companion animals, and the significance of the animals in people's lives should be considered by nurses, particularly in relation to older people's health, which can be affected by diseases. The incidence of stroke increases with age and disabilities as a result of stroke are common. This study aimed to explore older people's experiences of living with companion animals after stroke, and their life situation with the animals to the physical, psychological, and social aspects of recovery after stroke. The study was performed using individual interviews approximately 2 years after stroke with 17 participants (10 women and 7 men), aged 62-88 years. An overarching theme arising from the content analysis was contribution to a meaningful life. This theme was generated from four categories: motivation for physical and psychosocial recovery after stroke, someone to care for who cares for you, animals as family members, and providers of safety and protection. The main conclusion was that companion animals are experienced as physical and psychosocial contributors to recovery and a meaningful life after stroke.Keywords: companion animal, elderly, older people, pet, recovery, stroke 3In recent decades there has been increased interest in the relationship between companion animals and human health. This issue has been raised particularly with respect to older people, since it is common for the elderly to have companion animals (pets). International studiesSeveral studies have shown that companion animals have a measurable effect on older people's general health. A study of 884 participants (23% aged ≥65 years) reported that frequent dog-walking may have health benefits for older adults through increased physical activity and a heightened sense of community (Toohey et al, 2013). Another study, involving 1091 participants (aged 65-95 years), demonstrated that dog-walkers had more frequent physical activity and higher total functional ability than participants without dogs (Gretebeck et al, 2013)....

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Section: Perceiving Animals As Family Memberssupporting

confidence: 90%

Living with companion animals after stroke: experiences of older people in community and primary care nursing

Johansson

Ahlström

Jönsson

2014

Br J Community Nurs

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…17,32 Our study indicates that pet attachment levels in this community are very similar to the levels shown previously in the United States. 17,32 This high level of pet attachment was not expected, because we expected a more utilitarian view of dogs in the household. We identified that, for our pet owner cohort, pets play a role of emotional and social support in the elderly population and those individuals without extensive support networks, because increased pet attachment was associated with increased owner age and lower self-reported happiness.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Preventing Zoonotic Canine Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Brazil: Pet Attachment and Adoption of Community Leishmania Prevention

Esch¹,

Pontes²,

Arruda³

et al. 2012

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Leishmania infantum chagasi (L.i. chagasi syn. infantum) in northeastern Brazil, was responsible for 51,000 new VL cases from 1980 to 2003. Household presence of L. infantum-infected dogs is a major risk factor for human infection. Despite culling of dogs based on seropositivity, canine L. infantum seroprevalence remains near 20%, suggesting that dog culling is ineffective for preventing VL spread. We administered a cross-sectional survey to 224 households within 300 m of the homes of VL human patients diagnosed within the last year. The goal was to develop a model for voluntary preventative use based on characteristics and motivations of dog owners. We identified that owner knowledge deficiencies regarding canine transmission of L. infantum associated with increased risk of dog infection (odds ratio [OR] = 3.681, confidence interval [CI] = 1.223, 11.08). Higher owner education was associated with decreased levels of dog seropositivity (OR = 0.40, CI = 0.20, 0.81). Pet attachment (P = 0.036) and perception of risk/disease knowledge (P = 0.040) were significantly associated with willingness to voluntarily purchase canine VL prevention. These results highlight the importance of owner attachment to their pet in implementing reservoirtargeted zoonotic VL prevention.

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“…Approximately 62% of households have at least one pet, and over half of these households have multiple pets (1). Various studies have demonstrated the importance of pets in overall health and well-being and for providing social support (2)(3)(4)(5). Consistent with this devotion to pets, owners in the United States spend approximately $10.94 billion annually on pet supplies and over-the-counter pet medications and $14.11 billion annually on veterinary care (1).…”

mentioning

confidence: 87%

Transmission and Epidemiology of Zoonotic Protozoal Diseases of Companion Animals

2013

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SUMMARYOver 77 million dogs and 93 million cats share our households in the United States. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of pets in their owners' physical and mental health. Given the large number of companion animals in the United States and the proximity and bond of these animals with their owners, understanding and preventing the diseases that these companions bring with them are of paramount importance. Zoonotic protozoal parasites, including toxoplasmosis, Chagas' disease, babesiosis, giardiasis, and leishmaniasis, can cause insidious infections, with asymptomatic animals being capable of transmitting disease.GiardiaandToxoplasma gondii, endemic to the United States, have high prevalences in companion animals.LeishmaniaandTrypanosoma cruziare found regionally within the United States. These diseases have lower prevalences but are significant sources of human disease globally and are expanding their companion animal distribution. Thankfully, healthy individuals in the United States are protected by intact immune systems and bolstered by good nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene. Immunocompromised individuals, including the growing number of obese and/or diabetic people, are at a much higher risk of developing zoonoses. Awareness of these often neglected diseases in all health communities is important for protecting pets and owners. To provide this awareness, this review is focused on zoonotic protozoal mechanisms of virulence, epidemiology, and the transmission of pathogens of consequence to pet owners in the United States.

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Influence of Companion Animals on the Physical and Psychological Health of Older People: An Analysis of a One‐Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract: The results demonstrate the benefits of pet ownership in maintaining or slightly enhancing ADL levels of older people. However, a more complex relationship was observed between pet ownership and an older person's well-being.

Cited by 295 publications

References 26 publications

Living with companion animals after stroke: experiences of older people in community and primary care nursing

Living with companion animals after stroke: experiences of older people in community and primary care nursing

Preventing Zoonotic Canine Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Brazil: Pet Attachment and Adoption of Community Leishmania Prevention

Transmission and Epidemiology of Zoonotic Protozoal Diseases of Companion Animals

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