Is a pet helpful for older or dementia patients?

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Is a pet helpful for older or dementia patients?

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I brought my mother home and she has been staying with me for over 3 months now. I witnessed some incidents that kind of suggest that she does have some mental issue (probably early signs of dementia)

I will list some of them
- Once she wanted to make a phone call to my sister. She keeps the list of phone numbers in a telephone diary. What she did was just wrote my sister's number down on a piece of paper and comes back telling me that she called my sister but she isn't answering the call.
- As I mentioned in my earlier post, her GPS has become corrupt. She never gets the place right now. We visited Portland, OR and she thought we were still in Charlotte
- Her learning capabilities and cognition also seems to be declining. She takes days before she learns something new.

Besides there are On and off memory lapses and she has become very quiet especially with new people she meets.

I am gradually starting to suspect that she does have early signs of dementia even though the diagnosis she went through 6 months ago didn't clearly determine that she has dementia. Any thoughts?

I was reading an article that pets (dogs) can help stimulate brain of older and/or dementing people. Is pet going to make a difference (slow the progression) or improve her brain health? She does love to own a dog and gets excited when I talk about it.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Pets Signs of Dementia

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I would approach adopting a pet cautiously. Adopting a pet is a commitment to the animal. Someone has to make sure it has a good home and is cared for. And someone needs to be able to take responsibility for the pet if your mother is no longer able to. A pet becomes a new family member who needs a caregiver itself. If you can provide a good home for it, I would say it is worth a try. OTOH, if you approach it thinking that if it doesn't work out, you can just get rid of the pet, I would say not to consider adoption.

And, yes, I am one of those pesky animal-rights people.

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I have seen the results of pet owner dementia. The owners forget to let them out and forget to feed them and often trip over them. Not a good idea.

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I agree with what has been said and getting a pet is a life commitment. My neighbour got their child a dog for Christmas, awful idea, they had no idea what they were going to have to do as a dog steward. I got so aggravated with them, is like they thought he was a stuffed toy, but he is not, and they got rid of him when he proved to be more inconvenient than a stuffed toy. If you get a pet, get a pet with the full knowledge that you will be responsible for his care, whether she is there or not, if you can't commit to this forget it, it is only fair to the pet. If you can commit it is wonderful, they will sit for hours on end listening to the same story over and over, but make sure that the pet you choose does like your mother, some may or may not, so there is a lot to consider here. If you can commit, take your mother to the shelter and have her introduced to many pets, the right fit will present itself. Just make sure you realize you are responsible for this little spirits wellbeing.

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I will share the experience my mother undergoes.

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We added a 6 year old golden retriever to our household about 3 months ago. Thought about a cat, but mom loves to touch and pet and talk so we decided a cat would be too finicky. What a blessing this dog has been! Should have done it sooner. She will sit with mom in the morning while she drinks her tea, petting her and talking to her constantly. And the dog loves it as well! And mom was never a dog person, but I certainly would not have gotten a puppy, too many training issues.

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I think animals are so good for someone with dementia, but I agree 100% with Jessebelle you are basically going to be responsible for the pet, especially if your mother has to be placed down the line. I have an older female doberman who basically became my mothers dog when she moved in with me. She could sense something with my mom because she would never leave her side and my mother loved it. This dog slept with me for years and I would wake up in the middle of the night and find her in my mothers bed with her. She was a true angel for my mother but she also grieved her when my mother had to be placed. I took her to the first nursing home she was in to visit and my mom loved it. In the new memory center I am reluctant to take her because of her size. She is the kindest , sweetest dog but I would not want to scare the residents who are more progressed.. It sounds like you are dealing with dementia for sure. A pet scan is a good test to find out what type. Good luck

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The memory care unit my mom lives in has a resident dog. He is older and a big dog, but very gentle. My mother has a small poodle (13lbs.) who is now living with me. Mom was allowed to have her there with her, but the little dog barks at every noise and would wake up other residents. A couple of other residents have cats there. I take my mom's dog to visit, most residents love to see her, mom loves the attention she gets from the others when I bring in her dog. There is one woman resident who will tell me she does not want the dog around her and I respect that. She will ask me questions about the dog, she doesn't want the dog to come close. The other residents light up when I bring her in, they want to pet her, talk to her.

I suggest that if you consider a dog, the responsibilities include not the just of obvious of food and water....some dogs require regular grooming either their fur regularly or getting their fur cut like my mom's poodle. Dogs are like a child...they need attention and exercise, vet bills for vaccines,etc. Cleaning up the yard after them. I would recommend a dog that has been potty trained, one that is low grooming maintenance, look for one that has been socialized around more than one adult at a time. The rewards are great!! They will love you unconditionally, be a faithful loyal companion, and entertain you to your hearts content.

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Thanks for all the feedback....
@julidu - My mother does have loving for pets for a very long time. However, I have always procrastinated due to the responsibility it comes up. I plan to arrange a full time caregiver for her so the pet will have someone to fall back upon.

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Thanks for being insightful.
I was thinking if I could adopt a older, already trained dog. And I do not intend to leave the dog into the shelter, as much as I care for my mother I care for the pet too since they are living beings and have every right to their lives.

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check to see if there is a rescue organization in your area of the breed you want. This golden retriever we got is absolutely wonderful with mom got her from golden retriever rescue. She doesn't bark except when the three little dogs across the fence get barking. Ous shows off her big bark and little dogs barking stops.

Is a pet helpful for older or dementia patients?

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