Understanding the Benefits, Challenges, and the Role of Pet Ownership in the Daily Lives of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Case Study

Obradović, Nataša; Lagueux, Émilie; Latulippe, Karine; Provencher, Véronique

doi:10.3390/ani11092628

Cited by 16 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…In one case, the toll taken by commitments to pet care was felt to be too high, despite the acknowledged benefits. The realities shared in the participants’ narratives confirm the relational nature of human–animal relationships as being contingent on the circumstances of people’s lives and personal situations, as other researchers have also found (Applebaum, MacLean, & McDonald, 2021; Bibbo et al, 2019; Gee & Mueller, 2019; Obradović et al, 2020; Obradović, Lagueux, Latulippe, & Provencher, 2021; Toohey et al, 2017; Toohey & Rock, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Considering Cats, Dogs, and Contradictions: Pets and Their Relational Influence on Experiences of Aging in Place

Toohey

2023

Can. J. Aging

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Relationships with companion animals, or “pets”, may promote health and well-being for older adults as they age-in-place. Less is known, however, about ways that pet-related challenges may simultaneously influence aging-in-place experiences. This study explores the relational qualities of having pets later in life by considering qualitative accounts of older adults who are aging in the community. Semi-structured interviews with 14 socio-economically diverse, community-dwelling older adult pet-owners (≥ 60 years) living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, were analyzed reflexively. Four recurring themes suggested that companion animal relationships were valued in older adults’ lives and helped them cope with challenging circumstances, even when pets were central to these challenges. Findings also confirmed the relational nature of human-animal relationships as being shaped by both individual attributes and systemic factors. Methodological approaches to addressing these multifaceted complexities when studying pets and aging are considered. Enhanced cross-sectoral community and policy-level supports for aging-in-place with pets may have a population-level influence on health, well-being, and social justice across the socio-demographically diverse aging population.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Considering Cats, Dogs, and Contradictions: Pets and Their Relational Influence on Experiences of Aging in Place

Toohey

2023

Can. J. Aging

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“…While others were worried about upper respiratory tract-related issues, skin allergies and the spread of fleas. Prior literature outlines similar drawbacks in pet ownership such as grief due to pet loss, fear of outliving the pet, pet care as a chore, risk of falls, cost, and the fear of leaving a pet due to relocation [46][47][48]. Responsible pet ownership should be promoted where careful selection of pet(s) suited to your home, lifestyle and family members is advised [49].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“In times of stress, it is good to be with them”: experience of dog owners from a rural district of Sri Lanka

2022

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Background The dog has been man’s best companion since ancient times. And, dog ownership is associated with improved physical activity and cardiovascular health. We aim to explore the experience of dog owners on dog ownership and its effects on personal and family health in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Such studies are scarce in developing countries and rural regions. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with dog owners in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed and thematic analysis was performed. Results The study findings were reported under the themes of experience of dog owners, pet dogs for children, village dogs as pets, the role of pet dogs in personal and family health, and participants’ advice on dog ownership. Participants highlighted companionship as a positive aspect of pet dogs. However, expenses and reduced travel were the concerns of dog ownership. A child’s preference was important in owning a pet dog. Also, participants were willing to adopt the village dogs. Further, they perceived stress reduction and mental satisfaction when interacting with their pet dogs. Moreover, participants seldom experienced major health risks from their pet dogs. Conclusions Human–dog interaction seems to improve the participants’ mental well-being, and future research should focus on its possible consequences. Further, the village dogs were adopted as pets. Guided promotion of such activities could ease concerns related to village dogs in developing and rural regions.

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“…To the best of our knowledge, no studies to date have reported on the prevalence of pet ownership in the LTCH context and there remains a dearth of research on pets' roles for LTCH-clients. Some evidence indicates that LTCH-clients experience the roles of pets in much the same way older adults in the general population experience them (7,8). Nonetheless, there may be important differences between these two groups, particularly in how the care needs of LTCH-clients impact others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Roles of Pets in Long-Term Care at Home: A Qualitative Study

Reniers

Leontjevas

Declercq

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background Pets play very important roles for older adults. However, whether the same roles apply to pets of care clients receiving long-term care at home (LTCH) is unclear. This study aimed primarily to explore whether the roles of pets for LTCH-clients who own pets are comparable to the roles of pets for older adults in the general population. Furthermore, we explored potential pet-related problems that might be encountered in LTCH in practice, and the potential influences of pet ownership on caregiving relationships. These insights may help improve long-term care services in LTCH.Methods This project started with a study using the Consensual Qualitative Research method (CQR). We conducted semi-structured interviews based on themes from our previous review (e.g., Relational Aspects, Emotional Aspects, and Social Aspects). Secondly, a LimeSurvey questionnaire was used to confirm the findings from the CQR study by calculating Content Validity Index scores (in SPSS 26) regarding contents, relevance, and clarity. The questionnaire also included open-ended questions on potential pet-related problems and their impact on caregiving relationships for LTCH-clients, family caregivers, and professional caregivers.Results The CQR study found that the roles pets play for LTCH-clients (N = 8), family caregivers (N = 10), and professional caregivers (N = 10) were similar to the roles pets play for older adults in the general population. The LimeSurvey confirmed most of the CQR findings. In the questionnaire, LTCH-clients (N = 4), family caregivers (N = 8), professional caregivers (N = 8), and researchers in human-animal studies and in geriatric care (N = 5) reported various potential problems that could arise from pet ownership by LTCH-clients, such as clients with deteriorating health being forced to part with their pets. Participants also reported potential positive and negative effects of pet ownership on caregiving relationships, such as pets being a nice topic of conversation, or, conversely, a source of disagreement in the LTCH context.Conclusions The roles pets play for LTCH-clients seem comparable to the roles pets play for older adults in the general population. In addition, LTCH-clients might experience pet-related problems specific to the LTCH context. Pets may influence caregiving relationships, either positively or negatively. Therefore, instruments and guidelines are needed to account for pets in LTCH.

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Understanding the Benefits, Challenges, and the Role of Pet Ownership in the Daily Lives of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Case Study

Cited by 16 publications

References 47 publications

Considering Cats, Dogs, and Contradictions: Pets and Their Relational Influence on Experiences of Aging in Place

Considering Cats, Dogs, and Contradictions: Pets and Their Relational Influence on Experiences of Aging in Place

“In times of stress, it is good to be with them”: experience of dog owners from a rural district of Sri Lanka

The Roles of Pets in Long-Term Care at Home: A Qualitative Study

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