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A host of studies demonstrate how pets offer a myriad of physical and mental health benefits for people, such as reducing stress, providing companionship, encouraging social interactions and more. This is true particularly for older adults who often face loneliness and isolation, and rely on their furry, finned or feathered friends to thrive whether they are living at home or in a residential aged care setting.
Yet, despite 86% of older adults experiencing improved mental and physical health with pets in aged care settings, only 18% of aged care facilities consider allowing residents to keep a companion animal, according to national animal welfare charity Companion Animal Network Australia’s 2023 Aged Care Survey: Status of Pets in Aged Care.
Also, when it comes to older adults living at home, 91% of those with pets who receive a government-funded Home Care Package (HCP) do not receive support to help to care for their companion animal, according to survey results.
Trish Ennis, CEO of Companion Animal Network (Australia CAN or CANA), says, “While we’ve always recognised the benefits of owning a pet, our survey shows the Australian government and aged care providers have been slow to understand the enduring value of the human-animal bond for older people.”
Through its Pet Friendly Aged Care division, Australia CAN work to preserve the bond between people and their beloved pets by keeping them together for as long as it provides the best health outcome for the animal and their owner.
I think all aged care facilities should have pets… It is no fun giving up everything to move into aged care, especially when you have nowhere for your pet to go to. Giving away a table and chair is easy, but giving up a living pet is sometimes impossible.
Mary, residential aged care, QLD
“There’s often a catastrophic emotional harm caused when older people are forced to give up their pets upon moving into an aged care home, and resulting in their much-loved animals being surrendered to shelters across the country,” says Ms Ennis. “People are putting their lives on the line when they refuse to move into aged care because they can’t bring their pet with them. If people were allowed to keep their pets, aged care take-up by older people will increase and the number of pets being surrendered to animal shelters will decrease.”
CANA’s Aged Care report also reveals older people who depend on in-home assisted living and the daily companionship of their animals lack the government support they desperately need, says Ms Ennis.
The survey reveals 61% of older adults live alone, and 74% of older adults with pets say their animals provide companionship and reduce loneliness. Whilst 40% of older adults who receive a HCP have pets, only 9% of these pet owners receive pet care support, such as walking their dog (64% need help) and taking their pet to the vet (62% need help).
“Our survey shows there is an urgent need to support pet ownership for older Australians who choose to live independently,” says Ms Ennis. “The health and well-being benefits of pet ownership are measurable and indisputable. The CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme) and HCP can be extended to determine and secure the necessary assistance for a person to live independently with their pet by ensuring services are offered to support pet health and well-being.
“Increasing the number of pet-friendly in-home aged care support will also help to prevent animals from being euthanised or surrendered to shelters and maximise the physical and emotional health of animal loving older people.”
(My dog) Mica enhances my life in myriad ways… She is my lifeline and the closest member of my family.
Jackie, In-home care WA
According to CANA’s Aged Care Survey, 60% of people say the main barriers to pet ownership is lack of education among aged care providers on the benefits of pet ownership and a lack of funding to facilitate design changes to accommodate pets being a major challenge.
“Education and knowledge about benefits of pet ownership and accommodating pets are the key factors to allaying fears and opening up opportunities,” says Ms Ennis. “The inclusion of pets is a great business model as aged care facilities and home care companies that include pets are in greater need and their clients and communities are happier and healthier.”
Australia CAN works closely with the residential facilities that allow clients to bring their pets and offer free resources, including pet related policies, guidelines and documents, for aged care providers, support agencies and organisations to manage and care for pets in aged care settings.
“As our population ages, solutions to maintaining a high quality of life include finding ways to help ageing people retain their pets,” says Ms Ennis.
Pets are critical for older people
86% of people with pets in aged care settings experience improved mental and physical health.
74% of older adults with pets say their animals provide companionship and reduce loneliness.
Yet…
18% of aged care facilities consider allowing residents to keep a companion animal.
9% of pet owners with in-home care packages receive support to manage thir pets.
38% of aged facilities have in-facility pets.
46% of facilities permit pets to visit residents.
* Survey data is based on 1,130 participants including older adults, aged care staff and the wider public. The survey will continue to collect responses. To participate, please visit https://petfriendlyagedcare.com.au/surveys/
Australia CAN represent the companion animal welfare work of member organisations across the country. The charity also celebrates the human-animal bond and promotes responsible pet ownership through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, such as the Rent with Pets program.
Trish started her working career as a nurse training at the Royal Children's and the Austin Hospitals in Melbourne. She then moved into marketing and started her own Marketing Agency servicing many multinational companies with projects including product launches, design, branding, events, sales promotion and advertising. Trish is an experienced, strategic Marketing, Communications and Event Management Leader who turned her talents to the Not-for-Profit sector working with charities such as Cathy Freeman Foundation, Camp Quality, Leading Aged Services, Music Outback Foundation, Cabrini Hospital Emergency Department and Bayley House. Trish joined us (formerly Animal Welfare League Australia) in 2019. With the support of the Board, AWLA was then transformed into CANA focusing on Companion Animals, the human-animal bond and everything it takes to build and sustain a better place for animals and humans alike.
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