Get a dog.
Dogs get you out of the house. They give you a reason to go outside and breathe fresh air.
They get you moving. Dogs force you to get up and move. Dog owners are more likely to report regular physical activity than non-owners. This physical activity – like feeding, grooming, and playing – improves your blood flow, and reduces joint stiffness.
They promote social connection. Dog owners interact with other dog owners and the people they meet on walks. As a result, they're less likely to be depressed.
They provide aerobic exercise. Dogs require regular exercise, andtheir owners need to go with them, and that provides aerobic exercise like running and walking. People who perform aerobic exercise regularly have lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and less risk of cardiovascular disease.
They help you lose weight. Dog-walkers are less likely to be obese than non-owners. Walking for just 30 minutes a day reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes. It willalso hep you sleep better at night.
They help you get better. Dogs can play a part in rehabilitation from strokes, nervouse disorders, cardiac rehab, occupational and physical terapy.
They help fight loneliness. Loneliness and social isolation can be a strong factor of heart attacks and premature death. One recent study found that seniors who live alone developed dementia later and and its progression was slower with a dog in the house tan without. Touching, seeing, hearing or talking to dogs they've bonded with brings happiness, connection, and physical contact.
When you think about it, it's amazing how many senior care management services don't ask about things like pets, hobbies, or other interests when they determine a client's needs. At Senior Insights, we do. Our three-part needs analysis, involving prospective clients and their families, covers not just their physical and cognitive states, but the hobbies, interests, and other factors that can make the difference between living independently and not.
Then we create a custom-designed care plan to plug up the holes in their safety net and meet all the needs we identified.
To see what a difference that can make, please contact us.