Pets and the Elderly

Trauma For Elderly Pet Lovers Forced to Give Up Their Pets

Submitted by The Blue Cross on December 9, 2008

Elderly people in over a third of residential care homes experience noticeable symptoms of distress because they have to give up a beloved pet, according to research published today by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), with funding from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).

The in-depth study of 234 care homes and sheltered housing units revealed that the vast majority of care facilities in the UK do not allow people to take pets, despite a growing body of evidence showing the importance of pets to older people1.

The number of elderly people in the UK is growing every year and many will eventually need residential care. Around a quarter of all people over retirement age are thought to own a pet, but the study shows that only 29% of care facilities routinely allow pets. Of these homes that do allow pets over half specifically exclude dogs and cats, despite these being the most commonly kept species of pet. The importance of pet ownership seems to be largely ignored with only 24% of facilities asking potential residents whether they have a pet and only 35% having any formal policy about pets.

67-year-old dog owner Brenda Eustace is just one of many thousands of people who are affected by this problem. She suffers from mobility problems, high blood pressure and depression which make life alone in her basement flat increasingly difficult. With no immediate family, Mrs Eustace relies on friends and invalidity support to get by and has applied to move into sheltered housing. But dogs are not allowed and moving home without her Yorkshire Terrier, Cassidy, is unthinkable – so her daily struggle will sadly continue.

Brenda Eustace said: “I’ve been through some very difficult times and Cassidy has been the one thing that gets me up in the morning. He’s always been there for me so I owe it to him to do the same. He’s such a friendly little dog and everybody loves him, I just can’t understand why he isn’t allowed into sheltered housing. As an older person of limited means, all I have left is freedom of speech and freedom of choice and I’m not giving Cassidy up.”

Older people who are forced to part with a pet to move into residential care can suffer feelings of bereavement that are similar to the loss of a family member2. Severe reactions can lead to depression, disturbed sleep or eating patterns, and even physical illness.

Elizabeth Ormerod, Chairman of the Society for Companion Animal Studies and a practising vet said: “The importance of pets to older people cannot be understated; for some they are their best friend, their family and their only lifeline to the outside world. When age or ill health forces someone to move into care, why should they be parted from a loyal companion who offers them unconditional love and support, comfort and constancy?”

She continued: “I believe that people of all ages should have the right to benefit from animal companionship, as long as this is managed responsibly. So we’re encouraging all housing and residential care providers to develop clear and carefully considered pet policies.”

As well as exploring the impact of pet policies on older people, the study contacted 23 animal shelters and 44 veterinary surgeries to find out what implications there are for animals. The results suggest that many thousands of healthy pets every year are tragically put to sleep on the request of their elderly owners or well-meaning family members who think they have no other choice. In fact, animal charities like The Blue Cross will often take in these pets and find them loving new homes.

The ‘Pets and Older People in Residential Care’ research findings are published in full on the SCAS website (www.scas.org.uk/petsforlife) which also offers essential information for care home providers and older people who are thinking about moving into care. This includes:

For older people:

· Information on finding care facilities that will allow pets

· Guidelines on producing a ‘case for support’ for taking your pet into care

· Contact details for charities who can help to find a new home for your pet

· Free phone and email support for coping with pet loss

· Interviews with people who are affected by this issue

For care facilities:

· Evidence of the benefits of pets to older people

· Information on the impact of pet loss on older people

· Guidelines for producing a formal pet policy

· Practical tips for managing pets in residential care

· Examples of care homes that successfully allow pets