A recent study suggests older people with pets have a better quality of life. The March issue of the Journal of American Geriatrics Society states that pet ownership in the golden years of life has a positive effect on seniors' physical health and mental well-being. Caring for a dog or cat can ease the loneliness of the elderly, as well as provide ample opportunities for physical activity that bolster overall health, the report states. The study was conducted by telephone interviews with more than 1,000 Canadian residents, all of whom lived independently and of which 286 had either a dog or a cat. And petting the pooch does more than just keep you fit, wire reports said.
Researchers think that the nurturing aspects of pet care give older people a sense of purpose.
The added responsibility in their lives encourages them to be less apathetic and more involved in daily actives. Also, pets give companionship to those owners without family and support systems, which helps them remain emotionally healthy during times of crisis, as compared to their non-pet owning counterparts, the study said. All rights reserved.