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| Puppy Love Helping to Fulfill Need for Companionship in the Elderly |
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The most important priority at the Jewish Home is to provide the highest quality services to its frail and elderly residents while meeting their individual social, emotional and spiritual needs. Sometimes these needs are met by a wet nose and a wagging tail.
The move to a nursing home is difficult at best, but for those residents who must leave behind a beloved pet, it is devastating. Many withdraw and become reclusive. Some even stop communicating. Through pet therapy, residents are able to experience the joy and unconditional affection that an animal visit provides. Pet therapy covers a wide range of activities. It can be a simple visit to a patient to provide company, or a more structured program to provide stimulation and muscle-coordination retraining to a stroke victim, or independent living assistant to the physically handicapped.
The mere presence of a dog may motivate a response in the non-communicative patient. It can stimulate the recall of memories and help sequence events in patients with head injuries or chronic degenerative diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease, and teach appropriate behavior patterns in those with emotional disabilities (Goldman, 1990). In the future robotic pets may even fulfill this need.
Research conducted by Banks, Willoughby and Banks was published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association looked at the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Loneliness in Nursing Homes: Use of Robotic versus Living Dogs. Loneliness is a common problem in long-term care facilities (LTCF) and previous work has shown that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can to some degree reverse loneliness. They compared the ability of a living dog (Dog) and a robotic dog (AIBO) to treat loneliness in elderly patients living in LTCF. In comparison with a control group not receiving AAT, both the Dog and AIBO groups had statistically significant improvements in their levels of loneliness. Residents showed high levels of attachment to both the dog and AIBO. The researchers conclude that interactive robotic dogs can reduce loneliness in residents of LTCF and that residents become attached to these robots.
Unfortunately robotic dogs are not yet available in long term care settings. In the meantime, Jewish Home has developed multiple resources to increase people and pet visits for its residents. Chapel Haven is a residential program committed to providing a lifelong network of individualized support services for adults with cognitive and social disabilities, enabling them to live independent and productive lives. The participants have challenges like Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism. Like many programs of its kind, Chapel Haven was created by parents who wanted to help their special needs children become truly independent. A partnership was formed between Chapel Haven and the Jewish Home to foster a symbiotic relationship that benefits both the young people and the elders. Eighteen years later it still flourishes.
Chapel Haven volunteers not only visit with the residents but help with activities programs, transportation and assist in creating materials for crafts projects and displays by cutting, sorting and organizing supplies. The motto of Chapel Haven, Every person is to be treated with respect and dignity, meshed well with the philosophy at the Jewish Home, Where Caring and Tradition Meet.
Chapel Haven volunteers enjoy being a part of the Jewish Home family and several have stayed on after graduation. Alison divides her time between the Business office and Development. She is a tremendous help and enjoys helping these departments keep their files in order. Andy is a computer whiz. He helps out in the Recreation Department by typing song sheets and other documents for the residents. Andy’s favorite job is folding brochures! He is careful and precise and always puts the best product out. The students, under the direction and guidance of the Chapel Haven coaches assist with mailings, assembling marketing packets and similar “jobs’ that arise.
The Home has a dog in residence in the Rehabilitation Department., He is a Black Labrador Retriever named Hakay, but most residents call him Joe. He not only helps to motivate therapy and exercises but he makes weekly visits to residents who welcome him. Chris Oksanen, Director of Rehabilitation, and the dog’s owner, considers him a powerful therapy tool. “Just his presence sometimes gets a physical response and nearly always a smile. He serves as a goal for some…’Go as far as the dog, the therapist says to Edith Savitsky.’ The wagging tale is the target and enthusiastic licks are a just reward when the goal is achieved.” Edith loves having the dog around the Home. “It’s a treat to see him waiting for my visit.” says Edith.
An added program is evolving which bring more pet visits to residents on the nursing units. Cailean Oerkvitz is a graduate of the Chapel Haven program and has a special affinity for animals. He spent time at the local animal shelter where he was trained as a pet therapy facilitator. Now he is able to make weekly pet visits to residents who express an interest or who have a history of enjoying animals. “You cannot minimize the impact of these encounter for the residents”, says Sharon Louchen, Director of Therapeutic Recreation, who coordinates the Pet Therapy programs. “Non –verbal and withdrawn residents demonstrate visible responses to animals.” Sofa Zatelman, a native Russian, is unable to communicate. Hakay has no problems understanding her through her warm smiles and enthusiastic gestures.
Making a nursing home into a “home” means having lots of opportunities to love and be loved. Especially when it’s PUPPY LOVE!
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