Pets and dementia

Pets and Dementia: Can a Pet Help Someone Who Is Living with Dementia?

Kim Trevey on Mar 19, 2023

Pets and dementia - Barton House Memory Care - Sugar Land, TX

Pets and dementia

If you’re an animal lover, you know how much joy a pet can bring. A pet greets you when you get home, cuddles with you on the couch when you watch TV and is your constant companion. Pets often become just like members of the family because they’re so beloved.

Animals can have a positive effect on us physically, mentally and emotionally. And this has certainly proven to be true with those who are living with dementia, a physically and emotionally difficult disease.

In addition to pets, animals can serve different purposes for those who are living with cognitive decline such as Animal Assisted Therapy (ATT) and service dogs. Even robotic animals can benefit someone who is living with dementia.

Before going out and buying a puppy for your loved one or signing him up for ATT, consult with his physician to determine what would benefit him the most as his disease progresses.

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Caring for a pet while living with dementia

Most research done on pets and those living with dementia is performed in the context of long-term care facilities that have a community dog or pet for residents. However, according to Kathleen Allen, LCSW, having a pet in the home for someone who is living with dementia has many benefits. Pets provide companionship, emotional support and can reduce anxiety and feelings of aggression. They also provide an opportunity to be more physically active. (Physical activity is important for those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.)

But pets also come with responsibilities. They need to be taken care of, fed, walked and bathed. Is your loved one capable of these responsibilities at this stage of their disease?

The UK Alzheimer’s Society recommends considering a series of questions before buying your loved one a pet to help with his or her dementia, including:

Does your loved one have the mental capacity to decide if he wants a pet?

This needs to be his decision, not yours. Assess whether or not he is able to make a big decision like this before proceeding.
Will your loved one be able to care for this animal?

As we said above, pets require care. When someone is struggling to care for herself, she may not be able to care for an animal. Determine if your loved one can care for the animal, and if she can’t, make sure a caretaker is available to do so.
Where will you get the pet?

Not all pet sellers are willing to sell a pet to someone who is living with dementia as they worry the pet won’t be adequately cared for. Make sure your seller is aware of your and your loved one’s situation.
How does your loved one feel about pets?

If your loved one has always loved dogs, a pet could be a good option. However, if he has a fear of dogs or animals, that is not likely to change with a dementia diagnosis. Make sure you’re buying the dog for his benefit.

A pet can certainly help someone who is living with dementia, but ideally, that person is not solely responsible for the animal. Make sure your loved one wants the pet and make sure there will be someone available who can care for it.

Animal Assisted Therapy for dementia

Alzheimer's pets - Barton House Memory Care - Sugar Land, TX

Even if a pet isn’t ideal for your loved one right now, this doesn’t rule out the use of animals as a part of the overall care plan for your loved one, especially if she likes animals but simply isn’t able to care for one anymore. In this case, Animal Assisted Therapy could be a good option.

According to Therapet, Animal Assisted Therapy (ATT) is “the utilization of animals as a therapeutic modality to facilitate healing and rehabilitation of patients with acute or chronic diseases.”

Research has shown that AAT has numerous benefits for those suffering from mental or physical illness, including:

improving relaxation
reduced anxiety
help with loneliness
reduced blood pressure
decrease in the need for medication
reduced physical pain

In one study that looked at how ATT affected those with dementia, the findings were significant. For dementia, ATT contributes to higher activity levels, it can relieve sundown syndrome (increased agitation or restlessness in the evenings), improve short-term memory, reduce loneliness and improve eating habits.

AAT is performed in the presence of a professional with an individual or in a group setting. The professional will observe and evaluate each session to determine if progress is being made.

Talk to your doctor to see if AAT could be a good therapeutic option for your loved one.

Service dogs for those who are living with dementia

Alzheimer's pets - Barton House Memory Care - Sugar Land, TX

You’ve likely seen someone who is hearing- or vision-impaired using a service dog in public places to help him or her navigate a crowded room, restaurant or airport. Service dogs can be helpful for those who are living with dementia and Alzheimer’s too.

According to this article, service dogs can be trained to:

remind your loved one to eat or take her medication.
block doors, so your loved one can’t leave her house unassisted, which can be dangerous for those with more progressed dementia.
guide your loved one back home if she gets lost or confused.
help with physical balance.
help calm your loved one if she is experiencing sundown syndrome.

A service dog is most helpful in a situation where the person living with dementia has a caregiver who can also care for the animal and give the proper commands that will help care for your loved one.

A service dog is probably most helpful for someone who is still living at home, as memory care facilities may not allow service dogs unless someone is able to care for the dog.

Pets and dementia alternatives

If a pet, Animal Assisted Therapy or service dog seems too high maintenance or unnecessary for your loved one’s needs right now, there are alternatives to owning a pet or having regular pet therapy sessions.

A diagnosis from an expert such as a neurologist is essential to determine whether you or your loved one has depression, a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or both. When these diagnoses are confused and left untreated, it can increase the severity of the disease.

Robotic dogs or animals can be lifelike versions of a pet minus the responsibilities and maintenance.

Stuffed animals can help calm those who are living with dementia and provide comfort without the daily requirements of caring for a pet.

Some memory care facilities have a dog on site or will bring in dogs or other therapy animals to play with and spend time with the residents. This can be a good option to look out for if your loved one had a pet or loves animals and is transitioning into a care facility. Ask the residence if they facilitate pet therapy or would be open to it.

The research is clear that pets and animals are helpful for those who are living with cognitive decline. It’s a matter of determining what kind of animal or therapy is right for your loved one. Explore your options, talk to your provider and make sure to keep your loved one’s wishes and needs at the center of the conversation.

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Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19

Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Barton House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol