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Assistive Device Use among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Profile of Canadians Using Hearing, Vision, and Mobility Devices in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Contributor(s):: Ishigami, Yoko, Jutai, Jeffrey, Kirkland, Susan
There is increasing recognition that using assistive devices can support healthy aging. Minimizing discomfort and loss of function and increasing independence can have a substantial impact physically, psychologically, and financially on persons with functional impairments and resulting activity...
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Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment
| Contributor(s):: Rodrigo-Claverol, M., Malla-Clua, B., Marquilles-Bonet, C., Sol, J., Jové-Naval, J., Sole-Pujol, M., Ortega-Bravo, M.
Disorders of communication, social relationships, and psychomotricity are often characterized by cognitive impairment, which hinders daily activities and increases the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in an institutionalized...
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Brakes and levers to implement an animal-assisted intervention in nursing homes: Preliminary study
| Contributor(s):: Forget, S., Pennequin, V., Agli, O., Bailly, N.
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Pros and cons of pet ownership in sustaining independence in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review
| Contributor(s):: Obradović, Nataša, Lagueux, Émilie, Michaud, Frédéric, Provencher, Véronique
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Bergeyella zoohelcum isolated from oral cavities of therapy dogs
| Contributor(s):: Muramatsu, Y., Haraya, N., Horie, K., Uchida, L., Kooriyama, T., Suzuki, A., Horiuchi, M.
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Pet Ownership Patterns and Successful Aging Outcomes in Community Dwelling Older Adults
| Contributor(s):: Friedmann, E., Gee, N. R., Simonsick, E. M., Studenski, S., Resnick, B., Barr, E., Kitner-Triolo, M., Hackney, A.
Introduction: Diminishing cognitive and physical functions, worsening psychological symptoms, and increased mortality risk and morbidity typically accompany aging. The aging population's health needs will continue to increase as the proportion of the population aged > 50 years...
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A Qualitative Analysis of Pets as Suicide Protection for Older People
| Contributor(s):: Young, Janette, Bowen-Salter, Holly, O’Dwyer, Lisel, Stevens, Kristen, Nottle, Carmel, Baker, Amy
An unanticipated finding during research on the role that pets play in the health of older adults was that pets had protected some from suicide. Given that older people are more vulnerable to fatal first attempts, understanding protective factors in this population is vital. Twelve older adults...
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A Systematic Review of Research on Pet Ownership and Animal Interactions among Older Adults
| Contributor(s):: Gee, Nancy R., Mueller, Megan K.
Research on the impact of companion animals in the lives of older adults is considered from two perspectives: pet ownership and in animal-assisted interventions (AAI). This paper first presents a discussion of potential theoretical explanations of the impact of animals on human health and...
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Future Directions for Research on Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population
| Contributor(s):: Gee, Nancy R., Galik, Elizabeth
This final paper in the thematic issue, “Human–Animal Interaction and Healthy Human Aging,” highlights and distills key points from the series of papers and provides recommendations for improving and expanding Human–Animal Interaction (HAI) research into healthy human...
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Pet Ownership and Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population: Rewards and Challenges
| Contributor(s):: Enders-Slegers, Marie-José, Hediger, Karin
Older adults in most developed countries can now expect to live nearly 80 years without significant disability. To maximize the quality of the years after retirement, societies, governments, and organizations are seeking strategies to help older adults maintain their mental and physical health,...
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Pets in the Lives of Older Adults: A Life Course Perspective
| Contributor(s):: Bibbo, Jessica, Curl, Angela L., Johnson, Rebecca A.
This study employed the life course perspective to investigate the convergence of two demographic shifts: the aging of the population and the increase of pet ownership. Specifically, we examined whether pet ownership, the degree of bond with a pet, and reasons for and against pet ownership...
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Successful Aging, Social Support, and Ownership of a Companion Animal
| Contributor(s):: Pruchno, Rachel, Heid, Allison R., Wilson-Genderson, Maureen
Studies consistently find that higher levels of social support improve the psychological and physiological health of older people, but findings from empirical research are mixed regarding the presence of a “pet effect”— the idea that living with an animal can improve human health, psychological...
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Paving the Path Toward Retirement for Assistance Animals: Transitioning Lives
| Contributor(s):: Ng, Z., Fine, A.
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Beyond ‘Hobby Farming’: towards a typology of non-commercial farming
| Contributor(s):: Sutherland, Lee-Ann, Barlagne, Carla, Barnes, Andrew P.
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Anxiety and impulsivity: Factors associated with premature graying in young dogs
| Contributor(s):: King, Camille, Smith, Thomas J., Grandin, Temple, Borchelt, Peter
The present study examined the association of anxiety and impulsivity with premature muzzle grayness among young dogs. A sample of 400 dogs, ages 1–4 years was obtained at dog parks, shows, veterinary clinics, and other venues. Each dog was photographed and the degree of muzzle grayness was rated...
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When 'Places' Include Pets: Broadening the Scope of Relational Approaches to Promoting Aging-in-Place
| Contributor(s):: Ann M. Toohey, Jennifer A. Hewson, Cindy L. Adams, Melanie J. Rock
Aging-in-place is a well-established concept, but discussions rarely consider that many older adults live with pets. In a ‘pet-friendly’ city, we conducted semi-structured interviews to explore perspectives of community-based social support agencies that promote aging-in-place, and...
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Conditions for pets to prevent depression in older adults
| Contributor(s):: Cheung, C. K., Kam, P. K.
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The Intersection of Aging and Pet Guardianship: Influences of Health and Social Support
| Contributor(s):: Ranell L. Mueller, Elizabeth G. Hunter
Studies of the human-animal bond show many positive health effects for pet guardians including a sense of companionship, reduced depression and loneliness, and higher activity levels, yet few studies have examined factors such as how the pet guardians’ health, age, and social networks...
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Critical Review of Research Methods Used to Consider the Impact of Human–Animal Interaction on Older Adults' Health
| Contributor(s):: Friedmann, Erika, Gee, Nancy R.
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Companion Animals and Health in Older Populations: A Systematic Review
| Contributor(s):: Hughes, M. J., Verreynne, M. L., Harpur, P., Pachana, N. A.
