The Role of Pets in the Lives of Older People

15350

The relation between human and animals is very old. Today, practices such as pet ownership and pet therapy bring pets into significant positions in relation to the well-being of people. The role of pets are particularly important in the case of aging. This study explores the role of pets in terms of everyday life, care services and mourning processes within the lives of older people. In old age, through the loss of social networks and loved ones, and also the period when health problems increases, there are many benefits brought by pets to both institutional services and everyday life. In addition to these, pet ownership provides opportunities for reaching social support and improving the level of physical activity level of older people. Other important points to mention are the bond that an older person forms with his pet, and the mourning which occurs during the period of bereavement of the pet. Being aware of the loss of the pet, differing from other types of loss, will be beneficial in terms of the services provided to older adults, to be able to overcome this process.

297

Animal , Assisted Therapy , Pet Ownership , Aging , Older Care

Mediterranean Journal Of Humanities

306

Mediterranean Journal Of Humanities