How Horses Can Help Seniors With Dementia
When you think of pet therapy, you might automatically picture a dog cuddling a senior citizen, giving them unconditional love. But recent studies have shown that many types of pets can have positive impacts on senior citizens, and in particular those suffering from dementia. Several recent studies, including some right in California - have highlighted how interactions with horses help seniors with dementia in many different areas. As families and caregivers look for ways to help their loved ones with dementia, thinking outside of the box - or actually inside of the pen - has shown results, and given hope.
Emotional Benefits
A study at Ohio State University showed that equine therapy can benefit someone with dementia in many ways, especially emotionally. Seniors with memory loss often experience personality changes, including depression and aggression. Often they become withdrawn from others. This study focused on easing the emotional burden of the disease on seniors and their families. While many researchers are out searching for a cure for the devastating disease, this study focused on a different area - helping those already impacted by the disease, said Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, an associate professor in social work at the university. “We wanted to test whether people with dementia could have positive interactions with horses, and we found that they can - absolutely,” she said recently when talking about the study to Equus Magazine. “The experience immediately lifted their mood, and we saw a connection to fewer incidents of negative behavior.”
The Center for Equine Health at University of California Davis also has a dementia research program, which has come up with similar findings, as they use retired horses to interact with dementia patients. After the interactions, the patients had improved moods, decreased depression, greater reciprocity and more awareness, the study showed.
Straightening Reins, a program that offers equine therapy in the Santa Clarita area, uses horses to help teens struggling with mental health and well-being. Many successful programs like these were used as the model for the universities to expand their programs to senior citizens and people with dementia. The Connected Horse Project in California is another, and that program now is partnering with UC Davis in a program to benefit people with early-stage dementia and their caring partners. Through this program the caregivers have found a way they can connect on a new level with their partners suffering with the disease through the care of horses.
In the Ohio State study Family members also reported benefits, saying their loved ones would talk about the experience with the horses long after they left. In some cases even if they didn’t remember what else they did that day or week, they would remember their time with the horses.
Physical Benefits
Dementia patients interacting with horses also can get physical benefits, from actively petting the horses, to walking more.
In the Ohio study, some patients who never wanted to leave their wheelchair, asked for help standing so they could interact more with the horses. Others who rarely wanted to walk, stood up unassisted, though with help from a caregiver who was there to ensure they didn’t fall.
In the study patients were able to safely groom, feed and walk the horses with supervision. That experience lifted their mood, made them more receptive to caregivers and less likely to become upset later. The researchers also saw that the patients enjoyed their time on the farm, watching them laugh, smile and talk to the horses.
Make a Visit
Just being around the horses, and pets in general, can have a positive impact on someone with dementia. Many pet shelters in the area welcome visitors. Families can take a weekend day, and make a trip with their loved ones with dementia to see how they react to dogs, horses, cats or other animals, even from afar. The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita is open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and has rehabilitated cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, goats and even horses that families can look at and interact with.
Let Visiting Angels Help
If you are looking for help with a senior loved one with memory loss, our professionals at Visiting Angels Santa Clarita are here for you. We provide a variety of home care services, including specialty care for clients with dementia, Alzheimers and more. Whatever needs your senior loved one has, our trained professionals can help.
Our expert team of caregivers serves clients in Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley. To learn more about our services, call us at 661-263-2273, or fill out an online form here.