Pet-friendly aged care boosts health benefits

Allowing elderly people to keep their pets will help them fare better in their nursing homes, according to new research from the University of South Australia. Currently, however, only 18% of nursing homes in Australia welcome pets. This may be because nursing homes need to focus on the elderly, who need a lot of care and attention.

Dr. Janette Young, a researcher at the University of South Australia, is already setting up a project to put cats in nursing homes. She says that the project will help ease the loneliness of elderly residents. It can also relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. Entering a care facility is not easy for the elderly, and having to let go of their pets makes the transition even harder. Dr. Young believes that it adds grief to those who need to enter nursing homes.

Dr. Young said that the project is not easy, but she believe that it's possible and very important. Cathy Webster, a 73-year-old resident in a nursing home, was able to keep her dog Muffin. She said that Muffin keeps her and her husband happy and active.

fare /feə(r)/　/fer/　n)乗物料金　v)人が暮らしていく

a nursing home  n)老人ホーム

ease  /iːz/  v)和らげる　n)楽なこと

relieve /rɪ'liːv/　v)解放する･軽くする

relive /riːlɪv/　v)過去の記憶経験を思い出す

anxiety /æŋ'zaɪəti/　n)不安な気持

depression /dɪ'preʃn/　n)憂うつ･スランプ･意気消沈、不況、低下

let go of ...   ...から手放す、...を取り除く、...を解き放つ、...を忘れる

transition  /træn'zɪʃn/   n)移り変わり　

even  /'iːvn/   adj)平らにそろった　adv)～でさえ

make ... even harder    ...をより難しくする

grief  /griːf/  n)不幸死別などによる深い悲しみ

・DO you agree with Dr. Young's project to put cats in nursing homes?

It seems there are no problems. A life partner, even a pet, is necessary in order to live.

・What do you think are the qualities of a good nursing home (ex. clean, safe)？

Not to mention clean and safe, facilities give elderly residents a pleasure.

・Cathy Webster said that Muffin keeps her and her husband happy and active in their nursing home. Should all elderly residents be allowed to keep pets from thier homes?

It depends on pets. A large breed dog, such as St. Bernard, is out of place. 

from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland

・Do you think animals can help improve people's health?

I think so. Animals make elderly residents happy and active. Your mind controls your health (body).

・Service animals are trained to help people with disabilities (ex. blind people) in their everyday lives. Do you think it's a good idea to use service animals?

I couldn't agree more. Some caregivers were arrested for abusing their elderly people. Service animals protect elderlies.

・Emotional support animals help ease negative emotions like loneliness and anxiety. Would you like to have an emotional support animal?

Could be. But I am inclined to travel through the year.

not to mention  言うまでもないが

breed  /briːd/  v)子孫をつくる、産む　n)種族、血統

out of place 　場違いである

caregiver  /'keəgɪvə(r)/　/'kergɪvər/   n)介護士

abuse  虐待する

child abuse  子供虐待

incline /ɪn'klaɪn/ v)物などを傾ける、人の心を傾ける【気持ち的に～する傾向】

tend /tend/ v)～しがちである【普段からの習慣】