Pets welcome?
Thursday, May 07 2009
The benefits of pet ownership to the elderly are enormous, yet many people have no choice but to give up their four-legged friends just when they need them most.
The desperate plight of older people forced to give up much-loved pets when moving into a care home has been highlighted in a new survey, commissioned by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) and the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).
The Pets and Older People in Residential Care Survey 2006/2007 shows that nearly 40 per cent of older people parted from their pets show noticeable symptoms of distress. In reality, the figure may be even higher since many older people do not disclose their feelings about the loss of a companion animal, nor do staff always investigate the underlying causes of distress, depression or inability to adjust to new surroundings.
Many studies have confirmed the benefits of pet ownership to older people; these range from companionship and a sense of purpose (reducing isolation and loneliness) to better health through increased activity and social interaction.
The situation in the UK is in stark contrast to that of many other countries. The USA, Canada, Greece, France and Switzerland, among others, have all introduced legislation to ensure that older people have the right to keep or maintain creature comforts: for many older people pets and contact with animals prove vital for their health and wellbeing, whether they live independently in the community, in sheltered accommodation or in longterm care homes.
In contrast, the SCAS/PFMA survey reveals that just 29 per cent of UK care facilities permit pet ownership as a matter of policy and, of these, over half (54 per cent) specifically exclude cats and dogs – despite these being the most common companion animals.
Until now, the main UK data on this issue has been from two outdated studies. This new survey of 234 care homes in Cambridge, Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester, Plymouth and York provides crucial evidence about the current scale of the problem, pet-keeping practices and policies in care homes, and their impact on older people and animal welfare.
The new survey shows that 35 per cent of care homes now have some formal policies on pets – welcome recognition that pet ownership can be a major issue for older people facing the need for care. However, policies were not always positive, as in many instances pet ownership extended only to small caged animals and birds kept in a resident’s room.
Worryingly, there is a lack of understanding about the bond between people and their pets, and many vets highlighted their concern that wellmeaning relatives may dispose of an animal without the consent of an older owner.
Although only a third of care homes surveyed said they routinely investigate pet ownership among potential residents, those that did were often open to allowing residents the option if it was an important issue to them.
While many homes surveyed felt that ‘pet contact’ through visiting animals or communal pets was a better option, this displays a level of misunderstanding of the problem. Certainly, communal pets can provide excellent companionship and could be a valuable part of the solution, but they may not be able to replace an established relationship with a loving companion that has a shared home, family and a long life.
On a more positive note, a third of care homes said they would allow personal pets to visit their previous owner (by arrangement); and over half allowed, or would consider, visits by Pets as Therapy (PAT) animals. PAT is a national charity providing therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes and more, by volunteers with their own friendly, temperament-tested and vaccinated dogs and cats.
Finally, interviews with care home staff often showed a lack of communication between managers and carers – both thought the other would be against keeping animals. Some care homes also had concerns about disease and allergy problems. The primary objection was that residents’ families would raise concerns about health within a care setting where pets were allowed.
Over the coming months, The Blue Cross will work closely with SCAS and PFMA to disseminate these research findings to health professionals, managers and care staff, helping them formalise policy and encourage more care homes to allow residents to keep pets.
It is hoped that the evidence obtained in the survey will be of value to policymakers, decision-takers and practitioners across the UK. This is crucial when it comes to influencing policy, legislation and, most importantly, encouraging housing providers to adopt best practice in the interests of older pet owners and their animals.