Emotional Support Animals and the Elderly – A Healing Relationship

Pets can provide many benefits to their owners, both mental and physical health benefits. Now, emotional support animals are widely known for helping people deal with various emotional and mental health issues. They are becoming very popular across the United States, which is why a lot of people apply for an ESA letter NY. As long as your mental health condition qualifies, you can get an ESA letter. Some of the common conditions for qualifying for an ESA letter include – 

•  Depression
• Anxiety disorder
• PTSD
• Intellectual or learning disabilities
• Attention deficit disorder
• Motor skill disorder

There is no fixed age for any mental disorder. They can affect a person of any age, whether you are young or old. However, for some conditions, older people become more vulnerable for different reasons. For example, a war veteran may suffer from PTSD, depression, or anxiety. These conditions are common in people who have well passed their middle age. Thankfully, these conditions can be managed with the help of an emotional support animal. Simply having a pet can alleviate feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression.

Emotional support animals can provide happiness and support you whenever you need it. They can even enhance the overall health of elderly people. In this article, we are going to learn more about the healing relationship between ESAs and the elderly. So, keep reading along to get familiar with how ESAs can promote the health of elderly people.

Emotional Support Animals and Mental Health of The Elderly

ESAs Provide a Constant Companionship

One of the biggest reasons that elderly people suffer from depression is the feelings of loneliness or isolation. Not every elderly person lives with their children or any other family member. The feelings of isolation and loneliness become even more intense when a loving spouse expires. Isolation and loneliness can also cause some other mental health problems for elderly people. But having an ESA can help them deal with their mental health issues. Emotional support animals offer constant companionship and provide mental stimulation. Even if the families of these elderly people can’t visit them regularly, ESAs will always be there with them. This way, ESAs help them alleviate the feelings of isolation and loneliness.

ESAs Help Them Feel Happier And Calmer

Just spending some time and bonding with an ESA can help in reducing cortisol, a stress hormone. This also helps in boosting the production of serotonin, which is a feel-good hormone. This way, the stress levels of elderly people reduce as their brain is producing serotonin, and also prolactin, and oxytocin. These chemicals make them feel happier and calmer when an emotional support animal is with them.

ESAs Provide Mental Stimulation

In addition to making them feel happier and calmer, ESAs also provide mental stimulation for the elderly people. Just reading or talking about animals can do the trick. This is especially helpful for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s. ESAs helps in relieving the stress related to these conditions. Interacting with a pet can also help in stimulating the appetite of seniors suffering from these two conditions. And as ESAs help people calm down, this can help with bouts of agitation in Dementia patients.

Emotional Support Animals and Physical Health of The Elderly

Now, seniors do not get out too often. But an ESA can make them go out and remain active. Staying inside the home all the time can cause the symptoms of depression. But by taking their ESA out for a walk, the elderly people can also improve their mobility. This enhances their overall health and well-being. This can also help in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Studies also show that pets can help in reducing the chances of getting heart disease. Just walking around in the neighborhood with your pet can provide you enough physical activity. This can be beneficial for people suffering from other chronic ailments like diabetes.

The Best Emotional Support Animals For The Elderly

• Dogs
• Parson Russell Terrier
• Chihuahua
• Pug
• Pot-Bellied Pig
• Rats