New research by the Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) shows that despite 86% of older adults experiencing improved mental and physical health with pets in aged care settings, only 18% of aged care facilities consider allowing residents to keep a companion animal.
CANA’s Status of Pets in Aged Care report also found that when it comes to older adults living at home, 91% of those with pets who receive a government-funded Home Care Package (HCP) do not receive support to help to care for their companion animal.
Trish Ennis, CANA’s chief executive, says, “While we’ve always recognised the benefits of owning a pet, our survey shows the Australian government and aged care providers have been slow to understand the enduring value of the human–animal bond for older people.”
More information, via surveys, is needed to help CANA provide an up-to-date snapshot of the community’s views on keeping pets and their owners together for longer and convincingly argue for positive change to the aged care sector.
You can take part in a CANA survey at the link below.
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