Keeping Elderly People with Beloved Pets

It’s an emotional and upsetting decision facing a growing number of elderly people who are no longer able to look after themselves: what to do with a much-loved pet that is not permitted to join them where they to move into residential care.

A survey published by stayinmyhome.co.uk has found that over two million people in Britain say they know an elderly person who had to have their cat and/or dog put to sleep because they were moving into a residential care home. Many residential homes and sheltered housing schemes refuse to allow residents to have pets and this causes current and future generations of elderly people real distress.

Why elderly people worry about separation from a pet

The survey also discovered that 20% say the elderly people they know would refuse to go into care without their pets and 18.5% said they knew an elderly person who had to have their cat or dog rehomed. The prospect of being separated from their pet could cause some elderly people to make decisions which might actually cause them harm. To avoid going into a home for much-needed care, 17.4% of elderly people would pretend they were in good health, while 8.8% would make themselves more ill rather than leave their pet. Shockingly, when asked about elderly pet owners they know who have moved, or were about to move into residential care, 4.3% of respondents said they would consider taking their own lives due to concerns about their pets.
Difficult Choices

The UK has an ageing demographic, with increasing amounts of people being placed in care, but care homes aren’t right for everyone and live-in homecare can be an alternative to residential homes, so allowing people to keep their pets. Dominique Kent, one of the founding members of The Live-In Homecare Information Hub, explains: “This fresh research highlights the distressing choices facing elderly people destined to be separated from their pets. The vast majority of older people in the UK don’t want to move away from familiar surroundings, friends, family and pets. In fact, 97 per cent feel most comfortable in their own home, with 71 per cent wanting to be living in their own home when they are over 75.”

Given elderly people’s fears about moving into a care home and being separated from pets they love, it is little surprise that over 18% of respondents believe that elderly people they knew would, if they were aware of live-in homecare, try to arrange to be cared for at home in order to remain with their pet.

Pets: great for health and recovery in the elderly

For many people, being able to stay in familiar surroundings whilst retaining independence is really beneficial. Margaret is 83 and she benefited greatly from live-in homecare, which allowed her to stay with her golden retriever, Henry. Margaret’s family became concerned in 2012 when she seemed to become more distant and vague. After a fall, she was hospitalised and her one concern was to get back to Henry. Margaret was diagnosed with early stage dementia. It was clear she needed care, support and guidance for her memory impairment. Margaret’s family found out about a live-in homecare provider who matched her with her carer Anne. Anne began to build a relationship with Margaret in hospital and managed the transition from hospital to home. Margaret is now well and supported by two carers, Anne and Olga, she walks Henry regularly and sees friends and neighbours. Carer Anne says: ‘’Henry has been such a comfort to Margaret over the years, that I firmly believe he has been a fundamental influence to her wellbeing and recovery.”

The Society for Companion Animal Studies promotes the study of human-companion animal interactions and raises awareness of the importance of pets in society. Its research ‘Measuring the Benefits: Companion Animals and the Health of Older Persons’ shows the benefits pets can bring to people suffering acute illness. According to the report, “pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decrease in cardiovascular dementia risk and may have some causal role in reducing CVD risk”.

Solutions for elderly people with pets

Arranging suitable care for the elderly can be a very emotional and difficult decision for families, it’s vital to get the essential facts and get as much support for your family to make informed decisions. Factors like the physical and emotional implications, practicalities, fees and funding, care and nursing providers to contact for further information all need to be taken into account.

Dr. Glen Mason, Director of People, Communities and Local Government, Department of Health comments: “Live-in care is a long established, but relatively unknown, growing alternative to residential and nursing care, which substantially extends the care choice available to the individual. I expect live-in care to continue to grow in popularity and to become the high quality first care choice of many people.”
If it saves the life of a canine companion, like Margaret’s dog Henry, it’s worth considering as a care option. As Margaret’s niece Jane told us: ‘’Margaret would be lost without Henry; he is her rock and the one constant in her life. Henry helps her to maintain relationships in the community as everyone knows him. Margaret is the fittest we have seen her for a long time and we are so grateful to her carers.’’

The survey was conducted by The Live-in Homecare Information Hub, a coalition of 13 leading live-in homecare providers who have developed a website to illustrate how, with the right professional support, elderly people can stay in their home, close to family, in familiar surroundings with the animal they love: rather than face a future in residential care without them.