OHCA The Oregon Caregiver Fall Winter 2022

The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2022 www.ohca.com 22 SPONSORED CONTENT Senior living communities attempt to create home-like environments for residents in innovative and heartfelt ways and that includes animal companionship. As you’ve read throughout this magazine, many communities take advantage of therapy animals as a regular part of resident engagement using animal assisted therapy, or AAT. Dogs are the most common animal visitors to senior living, but cats and even birds or guinea pigs can play a role in animal-based therapy. More than just a feel-good enhancement to resident programming, there are real benefits to animal therapy including stress reduction, lower blood pressure, reduced loneliness, and benefits to heart health. Residents receiving AAT have a lower incidence of depression and anxiety. And research suggests that people find strangers more trustworthy when that unknown person is in the company of a dog, which could help residents feel calmer around unknown visitors or staff. For those living with dementia, the soothing presence of a dog to pet or to hug can help calm and quiet harder emotions. Aside from biometric markers of wellbeing, animals may also serve as motivation for hesitant residents to start their day. Knowing there is an AAT visitor coming can serve as an impetus for folks to get up, get dressed, and participate in mealtime in preparation for their visit. While there may be plenty of friendly family pets that come to visit residents or former owners, it’s a good idea to arrange for a certified therapy dog to visit with groups of residents, or residents with whom the dog is not familiar. Certified therapy dogs have been tested in multiple settings to ensure that they react positively to interactions with strangers, and that they aren’t frightened of unusual sounds, movements, or equipment like wheelchairs. Dogs and other animals can make gentle and loving visitors, but what about equine therapy? Is there a place for horse-based interactions with senior living? The answer once again is, yes! A newer idea for assisted living, bringing horses to visit campuses with the right space available, can offer an additional form of animal interaction. Petting, brushing, even riding a horse can bring seniors a sense of calm, purpose, and accomplishment. While it may not suit all the residents’ desires and abilities, a surprising number of folks want to go out and see a visiting equine! Even residents needing wheelchair assistance can enjoy viewing a horse or feeding it a treat. In addition to individual visiting therapy animals, consider out-of-the-box ideas for animal engagement with your residents. • Can your community adopt dogs or cats that live in the building with residents? This might sound far-fetched but communities who have taken the plunge have found no shortage of willing volunteers to schedule and transport facility pets to vet or grooming appointments, help with training, and provide longer walks to dogs when visiting a family member. Working animal care into a staff schedule ensures that all needs are met, while providing consistent animal companionship to residents. • Could a local breed rescue hold an informal “show” in the grassy area of campus? • Can a shelter bring over puppies to help socialize them prior to adoption? • Perhaps a local dog is a show winner whose handler would be willing to give a talk and demonstration of agility or obedience. Who Lets the Dogs in? By Jen Bruning, MS, RDN, LDN, Incite Strategic Partners Residents receiving AAT have a lower incidence of depression and anxiety. And research suggests that people find strangers more trustworthy when that unknown person is in the company of a dog, which could help residents feel calmer around unknown visitors or staff.

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