Pros and cons of pet ownership in sustaining independence in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 2061-2076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataša Obradović ◽  
Émilie Lagueux ◽  
Frédéric Michaud ◽  
Véronique Provencher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractAlthough community services support ageing-in-place, older adults often report feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Unmet emotional needs are associated with poorer health, reduced functional abilities and increased mortality in this population. Pet ownership is an avenue worth exploring to reduce these adverse outcomes. This scoping review maps main findings and identifies key gaps with respect to the pros and cons of pet ownership in community-dwelling older adults pertaining to psycho-social, physical and functional outcomes. Scientific and grey literature published from January 2000 to July 2018 was searched. Data selection and extraction were performed by the first author and a sub-sample was co-validated by two co-authors. A total of 62 sources were included for descriptive and thematic analysis. A variety of pros (increased physical activity, wellbeing) and cons (grief, risk of falls) pertaining to psycho-social and physical outcomes were identified. Not many functional outcomes (support for daily routines) were mentioned, and few studies explored the simultaneous balance between the pros and cons of pet care. Further research exploring both clinicians’ and older pet owners’ perspectives is needed to deepen our understanding of the importance of considering companion animals in older adults’ daily lives and to strike a balance between perceived risks and benefits.

The Role of Pet Ownership and Attachment in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deidre Watt ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Pet Attachment ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractAustralia is preparing for a population increase in persons aged over 65 years, which will likely result in increased mental health needs for this group. Sub-clinical levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness are common in older adults. Older adults are also more likely than any other age group to live alone. Research has suggested that older adults living on their own often report companion animals as providing important social support. Thirty-two community-dwelling older adults, between 60 and 75+ years of age, took part in this study examining attachment to pets in an older cohort. Previous or current pet ownership was a requirement for inclusion in the study in order to account for possible bias of nonpet owners on reporting pets as a positive influence on wellbeing. Results found support for the psychometric properties of a relatively new attachment scale designed for older adults. Results also indicated limited support for a relationship between pet attachment and quality of life in the study group. Implications for clinical work with older adults and areas for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Pet Ownership Patterns and Successful Aging Outcomes in Community Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Friedmann ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
Eleanor M. Simonsick ◽  
Stephanie Studenski ◽  
Barbara Resnick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Ownership Patterns

Co-morbidity adjustment for functional outcomes in community-dwelling older adults

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally K Rigler ◽  
Stephanie Studenski ◽  
Dennis Wallace ◽  
Dean M Reker ◽  
Pamela W Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

scholarly journals A Scoping Review of Digital Solutions that Might be Used as Cognitive Screening Instruments of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2022 ◽  
Vol 196 ◽  
pp. 956-963
Author(s):  
Rute Bastardo ◽  
João Pavão ◽  
Ana Isabel Martins ◽  
Anabela G. Silva ◽  
Nelson Pacheco Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Screening Instruments ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

scholarly journals Technological interventions for loneliness and social isolation among older adults: a scoping review protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Wister ◽  
Ian Fyffe ◽  
Eireann O’Dea
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Technological Interventions ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Evaluation Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Loneliness and social isolation are prevalent public health concerns among community-dwelling older adults. One approach that is becoming an increasingly popular method of reducing levels of loneliness and social isolation among older adults is through technology-driven solutions. This protocol outlines a research trajectory whereby a scoping review will be initiated in order to illustrate and map the existing technological approaches that have been utilized to diminish levels of loneliness and social isolation among community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older. We will address the question: what are the most common and less used technological approaches to reduce loneliness and social isolation among community-dwelling older adults? Methods A scoping review of Academic Search Premier, AGEline, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases will take place using our search terms including the following: loneliness, social isolation, older adults, elderly, Aged, Aged 80 and over, program, evaluation, trial, intervention, technology, computer, information and communication technology, internet, and robot. The initial electronic search will be supplemented by reviewing the reference lists and review articles to identify any missing studies. To meet study inclusion criteria, intervention studies had to pertain to community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older, include technological interventions, include loneliness and/or social isolation as outcome variables, and be written in the English language. Two parallel independent assessments of study eligibility will be conducted for the title, abstract, and full-text screens. Any disagreement will be resolved by consensus and a third reviewer consulted to make a decision if consensus is not achieved initially. Finally, the amalgamation of results will be an iterative process whereby reviewers will refine the plan for presenting results after data extraction is completed so that all of the contents of the extraction may be included in the results. Discussion The information gleaned in this scoping review will be essential to understand the degree to which technological interventions influence social isolation and loneliness among older adults and identify gaps for further research.

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