Aged Care Insite Issue 134 Nov-Dec 2022 | Page 6

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Furry friends

Project uses pets to curtail loneliness in aged care .

A new program is exploring how human-animal interactions can scale down loneliness and social isolation in older people and those from intergenerational and intercultural backgrounds .

Researchers in the pilot study ‘ Pets and People ’ use domesticated animals , including dogs , birds and rabbits , to foster human bonds and possibly fight off loneliness .
Particularly people in aged care and those from different cultural and generational backgrounds are at higher risks of social isolation due to language and age barriers .
Monash University ’ s Dr Em Bould has been exploring the value of the human-pet relationship for over six years and said pets are ‘ great conversation starters .’
“ Often , when you bring groups of people together that don ’ t know each other , pets are a social lubricant ,” Bould said .
“ They can form that bridge and help start those conversations .
“ It ’ s important to have regular social interactions and to stay connected – it can improve physical and mental health and wellbeing .”
Loneliness and social isolation adversely affect someone ’ s physical and mental health , and risk factors increase as we age .
Aside from humanto-human interaction , pets have shown great potential as substitutes in curtailing these negative health outcomes .
Bould already found in previous work that animal-assisted activities , such as dog walking , can be the ‘ perfect icebreaker ’ and promote social connection .
“ The program ’ s ultimate aim is to use pets to support social connection and healthy ageing ,” Bould said .
“ We ’ re really letting the pets do most of the work and bring people together , so

“ They can help start those conversations .

hopefully , it can help cure loneliness and social isolation .”
The programme will run in four aged care homes using face-to-face interaction and online mainstream tablet technologies like iPads .
It ’ s part of the 13 National Centre for Healthy Ageing projects that are federally funded and in partnership with Monash University and Peninsula Health . Bould plans to enrol volunteers in May 2023 to help provide low-cost animal-assisted activity groups in the aged care homes .
“ Pets will be the key focus of the meetings .”
“ So , it could be that participants have conversations about past or current pets , sharing photos of them , as well as activities involving the animals .
“ They might also be present at meetings , or residents could make items for pets or local animal shelters .” ■
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