Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-fv566 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-16T11:18:23.900Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

‘It gives you more to life, it's something new every day’: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of wellbeing in older care home residents who keep a personal pet

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2020

Shoshanna Freedman ,
Petia Paramova  and
Victoria Senior Open the ORCID record for Victoria Senior [Opens in a new window]
Shoshanna Freedman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, School of Health, BPP University, London, UK
Petia Paramova
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, School of Health, BPP University, London, UK
Victoria Senior*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, School of Health, BPP University, London, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Email: VictoriaSenior@bpp.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

There is a substantial amount of literature that suggests that animals, and specifically animals kept as pets, can have a positive effect on wellbeing. Research exploring the impact of animals on wellbeing in care homes mainly concerns visiting animals as well as shared communal pets. In light of the lack of research regarding personal pets in care homes, the aim of this study was to explore what the experience of keeping a personal pet in a care home means for residents’ sense of wellbeing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven care home residents who were currently living with their pet in a care home. Interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Analysis revealed four master themes deemed to be relevant to participants’ wellbeing. these were: ‘sense of self and identity’, ‘responsibility and ownership’, ‘motivation and desire to live’ and ‘feeling content in the care home’. The analysis indicated that living with a personal pet in a care home has the potential to enhance residents’ wellbeing. At the same time, it also found that the benefits of keeping a personal pet may be dependent on specific circumstances, such as the attitudes of staff and fellow residents at the care home. This study indicates that it may be advisable for more care homes to accept personal pets.

Keywords

older peoplepetscare homesInterpretative Phenomenological Analysiswellbeing
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 41 , Issue 9 , September 2021 , pp. 1961 - 1983
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baldacchino, D and Bonello, L (2013) Anxiety and depression in care homes in Malta and Australia: part 1. British Journal of Nursing 22, 677–683.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Banks, MR, Willoughby, LM and Banks, WA (2008) Animal-assisted therapy and loneliness in nursing homes: use of robotic versus living dogs. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 9, 173–177.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Basin, B (2018) Managing pet keeping responsibilities in older adulthood. Innovation in Aging 2, 222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bates, M (2019) Robotic pets: a senior's best friend? IEEE Pulse 10, 17–20.Google ScholarPubMed
British Psychological Society (BPS) (2009) Code of Ethics and Conduct. Available at https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-code-ethics-and-conduct.Google Scholar
British Psychological Society (BPS) (2014) Code of Human Research Ethics and Conduct. Available at https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-code-human-research-ethics-2nd-edition-2014.Google Scholar
Buckley, C and McCarthy, G (2009) An exploration of social connectedness as perceived by older adults in a long-term care setting in Ireland. Geriatric Nursing 30, 390–396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Care Quality Commission (2016) The State of Health Care and Adult Social Care in England 2015/16. Available at https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20161019_stateofcare1516_web.pdf.Google Scholar
Carlstedt, E (2019) A fun, active and sociable life on display – nursing home presentations on Instagram. Ageing & Society 39, 2109–2132.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clarke, V, Braun, V and Hayfield, N (2015) Thematic analysis. In Smith, JA (ed.), Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods, 3rd Edn. London: Sage, pp. 222–248.Google Scholar
Cole, A (2019) Grow old along with me: the meaning of dogs in seniors’ lives. International Journal of Community Well-being 2, 235–252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Connell, CM, Janevic, MR, Solway, E and McLaughlin, SJ (2007) Are pets a source of support or added burden for married couples facing dementia? Journal of Applied Gerontology 26, 472–485.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crowley-Robinson, P and Blackshaw, J (1998) Nursing home staffs’ empathy for a missing therapy dog, their attitudes to animal-assisted therapy programs and suitable dog breeds. Anthrozoös: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals 11, 101–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dahlan, A and Ibrahim, SAS (2017) An activity program for older people. Asian Journal of Quality of Life 2, 1–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Coninck, L, Bekkering, GE, Bouckaert, L, Declercq, A, Graff, MJ and Aertgeerts, B (2017) Home- and community-based occupational therapy improves functioning in frail older people: a systematic review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 65, 1863–1869.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Edwards, NE and Beck, AM (2002) Animal-assisted therapy and nutrition in Alzheimer's disease. Western Journal of Nursing Research 24, 697–712.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Falk, H, Wijk, H, Persson, LO and Falk, K (2013) A sense of home in residential care. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences 27, 999–1009.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Feng, Z, Dibben, C, Witham, MD, Donnan, PT, Vadiveloo, T, Sniehotta, F, Crombie, IK and McMurdo, ME (2014) Dog ownership and physical activity in later life: a cross-sectional observational study. Preventive Medicine 66, 101–106.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Filan, S and Llewellyn-Jones, R (2006) Animal-assisted therapy for dementia: a review of the literature. International Psychogeriatrics 18, 597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fossey, J and Lawrence, V (2013) Staff views on the involvement of animals in care home life: an exploratory study. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 40, 305.Google Scholar
Fox, J and Quinn, S (2012) The meaning of social activism to older adults in Ireland. Journal of Occupational Science 19, 358–370.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fox, M and Ray, M (2019) No pets allowed? Companion animals, older people and residential care. Medical Humanities 45, 211–222.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Friedmann, E, Katcher, AH, Lynch, JJ and Thomas, SA (1980) Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports 95, 307–312.Google ScholarPubMed
Friedmann, E, Thomas, S, Cook, L, Tsai, C and Picot, S (2007) A friendly dog as potential moderator of cardiovascular response to speech in older hypertensives. Anthrozoös: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals 20, 51–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Friedmann, E, Thomas, SA, Son, H, Chapa, D and McCune, S (2013) Pet's presence and owner's blood pressures during the daily lives of pet owners with pre to mild hypertension. Anthrozoös: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals 26, 535–550.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Geboy, L, Moore, KD and Smith, EK (2012) Environmental gerontology for the future: community-based living for the third age. Journal of Housing for the Elderly 26, 44–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gillsjö, C, Schwartz-Barcott, D and von Post, I (2011) Home: the place the older adult can not imagine living without. BMC Geriatrics 11, 1–10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grandgeorge, M, Tordjman, S, Lazartigues, A, Lemonnier, E, Deleau, M and Hausberger, M (2012) Does pet arrival trigger prosocial behaviors in individuals with autism? PLOS ONE 7, e41739.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jøranson, N, Pedersen, I, Rokstad, AMM and Ihlebaek, C (2015) Effects on symptoms of agitation and depression in persons with dementia participating in robot-assisted activity: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 16, 867–873.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kahneman, D, Diener, E and Schwarz, N (eds) (1999) Well-being: Foundations of Hedonic Psychology. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.Google Scholar
Klaassens, M and Meijering, L (2015) Experiences of home and institution in a secured nursing home ward in the Netherlands: a participatory intervention study. Journal of Aging Studies 34, 92–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Krause-Parello, CA and Gulick, E (2015) Examining demographic and psychosocial predictors of well-being in older pet owners. International Journal of Nursing 3, 29–40.Google Scholar
Libin, A and Cohen-Mansfield, J (2004) Therapeutic robocat for nursing home residents with dementia: preliminary inquiry. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias 19, 111–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Loughlin, L (2014) Personal Pets in Long-term Care. Available at https://www.edenalt.org/dogs-make-lifeworthliving/.Google Scholar
Maujean, A, Pepping, CA and Kendall, E (2015) A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of animal-assisted therapy on psychosocial outcomes. Anthrozoös: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals 28, 23–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCabe, BW, Baun, MM, Speich, D and Agrawal, S (2002) Resident dog in the Alzheimer's special care unit. Western Journal of Nursing Research 24, 684–696.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McNicholas, J (2008) Pets and Older People in Residential Care. Burford, UK: Society for Companion Animal Studies.Google Scholar
McNicholas, J, Collis, GM and Morley, IE (1993) Pets and People in Residential Care: Towards a Model of Good Practice. York, UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miller, S, Looze, J, Shield, R, Clark, M, Lepore, M and Tyler, D (2013) Culture change practice in U.S. nursing homes: prevalence and variation by state Medicaid reimbursement policies. The Gerontologist 54, 434–445.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mintel, UK (2017) Pets in the Dog House: UK Household Pet Ownership Falls to 56% in 2017, Down from 63% in 2012. Available at https://www.mintel.com/press-centre/social-and-lifestyle/pets-in-the-doghouse-uk-household-pet-ownership-falls-to-56-in-2017-down-from-from-63-in-2012.Google Scholar
Moretti, F, De Ronchi, D, Bernabei, V, Marchetti, L, Ferrari, B, Forlani, C, Negretti, F, Sachetti, C and Atti, AR (2011) Pet therapy in elderly patients with mental illness. Psychogeriatrics 11, 125–129.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moyle, W, Beattie, E, Draper, B, Shum, D, Thalib, L, Jones, C, O'Dwyer, S and Mervin, C (2015) Effect of an interactive therapeutic robotic animal on engagement, mood states, agitation and psychotropic drug use in people with dementia: a cluster-randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open 5, e009097.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moyle, W, Cooke, M, Beattie, E, Jones, C, Klein, B, Cook, G and Gray, C (2013) Exploring the effect of companion robots on emotional expression in older adults with dementia: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Gerontological Nursing 39, 46–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mubanga, M, Byberg, L, Nowak, C, Egenvall, A, Magnusson, PK, Ingelsson, E and Fall, T (2017) Dog ownership and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death – a nationwide cohort study. Scientific Reports 7, 15821.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2013) Mental Wellbeing of Older People in Care Homes. Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs50/resources/mental-wellbeing-of-older-people-in-care-homes-pdf-2098720457413.Google Scholar
Ogechi, I, Snook, K, Davis, BM, Hansen, AR, Liu, F and Zhang, J (2016) Pet ownership and the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease among adults without major chronic medical conditions. High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention 23, 245–253.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Owen-Booth, B and Lewis, E (2019) An exploratory study of older persons’ perceptions of engaging in line dancing classes. Journal of Occupational Science. Available online doi:10.1080/14427591.2019.1654403Google Scholar
Petersen, S, Houston, S, Qin, H, Tague, C and Studley, J (2017) The utilization of robotic pets in dementia care. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 55, 569–574.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Prosser, L, Townsend, M and Staiger, P (2008) Older people's relationships with companion animals: a pilot study. Nursing Older People 20, 29–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Richeson, NE and McCullough, WT (2003) A therapeutic recreation intervention using animal-assisted therapy: effects on the subjective well-being of older adults. Annual in Therapeutic Recreation 12, 1–6.Google Scholar
Rijnaard, M, van Hoof, J, Janssen, B, Verbeek, H, Pocornie, W and Eijkelenboom, A (2016) The factors influencing the sense of home in nursing homes: a systematic review from the perspective of residents. Journal of Aging Research 2016, 155–170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ryan, R and Deci, E (2000) Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist 55, 68–78.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ryff, C and Singer, B (1998) The contours of positive human health. Psychological Inquiry 9, 1–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Savishinsky, J (1985) Pets and family relationships among nursing home residents. Marriage & Family Review 8, 109–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scheibeck, R, Pallauf, M, Stellwag, C and Seeberger, B (2011) Elderly people in many respects benefit from interaction with dogs. European Journal of Medical Research 16, 557.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sharkin, B and Knox, D (2003) Pet loss: issues and implications for the psychologist. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 34, 414–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, JA, Flowers, P and Larkin, M (2009) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. London: Sage.Google Scholar
Smith, JA and Osborn, M (2007) Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In Smith, JA (ed.), Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods, 2nd Edn. London: Sage, pp. 53–80.Google Scholar
Smith, N, Towers, AM, Palmer, S, Beecham, J and Welch, E (2018) Being occupied: supporting ‘meaningful activity’ in care homes for older people in England. Ageing & Society 38, 2218–2240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, R, Johnson, J and Rolph, S (2011) People, pets and care homes: a story of ambivalence. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults 12, 217–228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Souter, M and Miller, M (2007) Do animal-assisted activities effectively treat depression? A meta-analysis. Anthrozoös: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals 20, 167–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stanley, IH, Conwell, Y, Bowen, C and Van Orden, KA (2014) Pet ownership may attenuate loneliness among older adult primary care patients who live alone. Aging & Mental Health 18, 394–399.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thomas, WH (1996) Life Worth Living: How Someone You Love Can Still Enjoy Life in a Nursing Home: The Eden Alternative in Action. Acton, MA: VanderWyk & Burnham.Google Scholar
Thorpe, RJ, Simonsick, EM, Brach, JS, Ayonayon, H, Satterfield, S, Harris, TB, Garcia, M and Kritchevsky, S (2006) Dog ownership, walking behavior, and maintained mobility in late life. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 54, 1419–1424.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Toohey, AM and Rock, MJ (2019) Disruptive solidarity or solidarity disrupted? A dialogical narrative analysis of economically vulnerable older adults’ efforts to age in place with pets. Public Health Ethics 12, 15–29.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tournier, I, Vives, M and Postal, V (2017) Animal-assisted intervention in dementia. Swiss Journal of Psychology 76, 51–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
van Hoof, J, Verhagen, M, Wouters, E, Marston, H, Rijnaard, M and Janssen, B (2015) Picture your nursing home: exploring the sense of home of older residents through photography. Journal of Aging Research 2015, 1–11. Article no. 312931.Google ScholarPubMed
Vrbanac, Z, Zečević, I, Ljubić, M, Belić, M, Stanin, D, Brkljača Bottegaro, N, Jurkic, G, Skrlin, B, Bedrica, L and Žubčić, D (2013) Animal assisted therapy and perception of loneliness in geriatric nursing home residents. Collegium Antropologicum 37, 973–976.Google ScholarPubMed
Waterman, A (1993) Two conceptions of happiness: contrasts of personal expressiveness (eudaimonia) and hedonic enjoyment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 64, 678–691.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wisdom, J, Saedi, G and Green, C (2009) Another breed of ‘service’ animals: STARS study findings about pet ownership and recovery from serious mental illness. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 79, 430–436.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wood, L, Giles-Corti, B and Bulsara, M (2005) The pet connection: pets as a conduit for social capital. Social Science & Medicine 61, 1159–1173.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed