Fostering the Human-Animal Bond for Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Older adults are at high risk for physical illness and emotional disorders, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status. Pet ownership has the potential to reduce the impact of these problems by providing companionship, reducing social isolation, and enhancing physical activity and well-being. Despite these potential benefits, older adults face challenges in adopting and owning pets, including functional limitations, financial considerations, and concerns should the pet owner fall ill or die. In this article, the authors detail the literature on pet ownership for older adults, hurdles they face in adopting pets, and steps that could be taken to address these challenges.

KEYWORDS:

• human-animal bond
• pet ownership
• pet adoption
• lower-income older adults