Why residents should be allowed pets
I wanted to follow up on an entry from a few weeks ago discussing the benefits and merits of allowing residents pets after I read this article from the Daily Record. The article reiterates what I had thought and written about how pets can alleviate depression and give companioship to lonely residents. The article mentions how happy and positive the animals make the residents.
While rules regarding pet visits or ownership vary according to facility, a daily dose of wagging tails, purrs or even squawks has proven an overall boon to residents and staff alike. "Having a pet around is soothing," said Valerie Dalia, marketing director of Victoria Mews in Boonton. "Their presence is relaxing." Upon providing documentation that shows animals are up to date on vaccinations and shots, family members are then permitted to bring pets in for frequent visits.
Meanwhile, the Beverwyck House of Merry Heart in Parsippany boasts a cat, while birds of a feather flock at the nursing home in Succasunna, right alongside a fully stocked fish tank. "It's always helpful to have an animal around," said Blanche Banifacio, owner of Merry Heart. "There's something in the animal that can sense pain."
"Animals are all-accepting. They don't care about whatever issues a person might have," said Noralyn Snow, administrator at the Silverado Senior Living Aspen Park Community in Salt Lake City, home to 100 memory-impaired residents, seven dogs, six cats, 40 birds and a baby kangaroo named Marlee who can coax a smile out of even the most recalcitrant senior. "And having pets around adds excitement and spontaneity."
"People grow up with animals, have had them all their lives, and this is their home now, so why wouldn't they have pets here?" said Helene King, communication coordinator for Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, one of 300 facilities worldwide operating under the "Eden Alternative" philosophy, which integrates animals, plants and contact with children into daily routines to keep the elderly engaged. "It makes such a big difference in their lives."
Until recent years, most administrators took a dim view of the notion of animals living in such facilities. There were concerns about allergies or people tripping over animals; worries about bites and scratches; and much consternation about the insurance implications. Turns out that if well-managed, there's nary a problem.
