It was not that long ago that seniors moving into an assisted living community had to leave behind an important companion, their pet. Today however, more and more retirement communities are recognizing the benefits of pets to the elderly, and many such as MorningStar at Arrowhead, allow residents to bring their pets with them.
There has been a lot of research that validates the benefits of pets in seniors’ lives. In fact, A Place for Mom website reports on a study that shows, “just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.” They go on to say that interactions between pets and humans can “lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke.” Another reason pets can be good for the elderly is that animals live in the here and now and do not think about tomorrow, which for some seniors, can be worrisome. In addition animals offer unconditional love, emotional support and affection. This is one reason why pet therapy programs are used in convalescent homes, hospitals, mental health centers and children centers. Many people participating in such programs experience an improvement in appetite as well as “more social interaction and tactile and cognitive stimulation after interactions with pets.” There is even research that indicates pet therapy is beneficial for those suffering from dementia diseases such as Sundowners Syndrome and Alzheimer’s. The animal’s complete acceptance and non-verbal communication has proven to be soothing for patients. Please contact us to learn more about the MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead community. With beautifully appointed spaces and exceptional architecture, we are confident you will be impressed. MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Sources: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/pet-friendly-assisted-living agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now reports that 5.4 million, or one in nine people 65 years and older in the U.S. have Alzheimer's. For researchers, one of the challenges has been to develop accurate tests for early detection, which can lead to better management of the disease.
Both CBS News and CNN recently reported on a couple of studies presented at the 2016 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto. CBS cites one of the studies that suggest a person’s eyes may be an early predictor of the disease. Researchers found that, “a thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer in the eye tended to occur in people who performed more poorly in testing of cognitive skills like memory, reasoning and reaction time.” Another group of researchers reported on an eye test for Alzheimer’s that involves detecting amyloid protein deposits in the retina. Researchers report that one of the outcomes of the study confirmed that, “Amyloid can be seen in the retinas of animals and people with Alzheimer's.” They went on to add that, “the amyloid deposits were seen before cognitive impairment began, so they begin to appear in the retina early in the disease.” The third study suggests that older adults who experienced a deteriorating ability to identify odors may be headed toward cognitive decline. In the study, seniors were presented with different scents to identify and rated on how well they identified the odors. While scientists do not believe that the noses of those who did poorly on the test are the problem, but rather that cognitive impairment is causing their brains to have a more difficult time identifying the smells. All of these tests are still in the early stages and it is much too soon to know if they will actually come to anything. However, it is promising to hear about some of the research underway that may eventually help doctors to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease early-on. MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, and is devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting. Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community. Sources:cbsnews.com/news/nose-eyes-sense-of-smell-early-clues-alzheimers-disease-dementia/ cnn.com/2016/07/26/health/alzheimers-eye-and-smell/ |
AuthorMorningStar Senior Living’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Archives
March 2018
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