Pets Help Older Adults Cope With Health Issues, Get Active, and Connect With Others

The National Poll on Healthy Aging found pets may help older adults cope with mental and physical health problems, according to ScienceDaily . Overall, 55 percent of adults aged 50 to 80 own a pet, and more than 50 percent have multiple pets. More than 75 percent of pet owners said their animals reduce their stress, and nearly as many said pets give them a sense of purpose. Seventy-five percent of all pet owners, and 78 percent of dog owners, said their pet helps them be physically active. More than 70 percent of respondents who said their health was "fair" or "poor" said their pet helps them deal with physical or emotional symptoms, and 46 percent said their pets help take their mind off of pain. "Although the benefits of pets are significant, social connections and activities with friends and family are also key to quality of life across the lifespan," noted University of Michigan School of Public Health Professor Cathleen Connell. "Helping older adults find low-cost ways to support pet ownership while not sacrificing other important relationships and priorities is an investment in overall mental and physical health."