Is Animal Therapy Effective in Care Homes?

Care homes can be misperceived as a clinical setting, where life is centred around medical care and nothing else. At Mulberry, we know that true care must be holistic. The power of stimulation and enrichment is far greater than simply managing medical needs.

This is why we introduced animal therapy at Southfield Court. Our dog mascot, Loki, has been helping our residents with his visits. Filled with furry cuddles and nostalgia, Loki provides our residents with a specific comfort that new residents may not have experienced for years.

Whilst the happiness was infectious, it begs the question of how effective animal therapy is for those living in care homes.

How Does Animal Therapy Work?

Animal-Assisted Therapy, also referred to as AAT, is more than just an afternoon activity. It has been recognised as incredibly effective against a range of psychological issues faced by older people. Interacting with animals has been proven to:

• Reduce cortisol levels: This is commonly known as the “stress hormone” and is responsible for anxiety. Lowering these levels helps people to feel more relaxed and less stressed.
• Release endorphins and oxytocin: These can be seen as the opposite of cortisol, often named “happy chemicals”. They produce a sense of comfort and joy, which also results in relaxation.
• Lowers blood pressure: It has been found that the action of petting animals slows our heart rate, having a calming effect on the whole body and cardiovascular system.

A 2017 study introduced pet therapy to a nursing home and monitored the anxiety, depression, apathy, loneliness, and quality of life of the residents. All of these categories were positively affected by the animal therapy, with residents reporting quality of life as having the largest increase.

There is no denying that the majority of people enjoy animal companionship. Later in life, isolation can feel unavoidable when constant familial company is no longer a daily occurrence. But that is where animals can fill this emotional gap.

How Is Dementia Care Affected?

Animal therapy has also proved its effectiveness for those living with dementia. Dementia can often leave people feeling confused and trapped, which commonly manifests as agitation and social withdrawal.

Clinical research has shown that the introduction of a therapy dog significantly decreases agitation, soothes the nervous system, and decreases social isolation. With animals, there is no pressure to attempt to keep up with conversations or become confused. This creates a calming environment for an individual with dementia. These visits spark social interaction between residents who are usually self-isolated.

AAT also leaves a residual effect on residents. Even after the visit, the sense of joy and serenity that the animals had in the care home remained, and residents reported feeling better even once the dogs had left.

The Power of Reminiscence

Our dementia-trained nurses integrate reminiscence therapy as a powerful tool against the development of dementia. This practice uses sensory triggers to keep memories at the forefront of the mind, preventing memory loss and cognitive decline. Animal therapy is an effective and natural way to do so.

Many of our residents had beloved pets during the course of their lives. These memories are reignited by the therapy animals and help to keep these memories alive for longer.

These shared memories are an effective way to break social barriers between residents. Conversation flows and fights against the social isolation that is seen far too often in individuals with dementia.

Holistic Care at Mulberry

So, is animal therapy effective in care homes? We have seen firsthand the wonderful effects that it has had on our residents in creating a calming and comforting environment.

We look forward to welcoming more furry friends to our homes in the future. To stay up to date with our latest activities, make sure to visit our blog.