Are pets a source of support or added burden for married couples facing dementia?

Journal of Applied Gerontology

Volumn 26, Issue 5, 2007, Pages 472-485

  Connell, Cathleen M ^a   Janevic, Mary R ^a   Solway, Erica ^b   McLaughlin, Sara J ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA   (United States)

Author keywords

Caregivers; Dementia; Pets

Indexed keywords

ADULT; AGED; ANIMAL CARE; ARTICLE; BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT; CAREGIVER; CAREGIVER BURDEN; CONTROLLED STUDY; DEMENTIA; FAMILY LIFE; HUMAN; HUMAN EXPERIMENT; MARRIAGE; NORMAL HUMAN; OPEN ENDED QUESTIONNAIRE; PATIENT ATTITUDE; PET ANIMAL; TELEPHONE; UNITED STATES;

EID: 35348870976     PISSN: 07334648     EISSN: 15524523     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1177/0733464807305180     Document Type: Article

References (37)

1. Allen, K. (2000). Pet dogs diminish cardiovascular reactivity among hypertensive caregiver spouses of individuals with traumatic brain injury. Psychophysiology, 37, S23.
2. Allen, K. (2003). Are pets a healthy pleasure? The influence of pets on blood pressure. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12, 236-239.
3. American Veterinary Medical Association. (AVMA). (2002). U.S. pet ownership and demo-graphics sourcebook. Schaumburg, IL: Author.
4. Anderson, W.P., Reid, C.M., & Jennings, G.L. (1992). Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 157, 298-301.
5. Banks, M.R., & Banks, W.A. (2005). The effects of group and individual animal-assisted therapy on loneliness in residents of long term care facilities. Anthrozoos, 18 (4). 396-408.
6. Batson, K., McCabe, B., Baun, M.M., & Wilson, C. (1998). The effects of a therapy dog on socialization and physiological indicators of stress in persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In C. C. Wilson & D. C. Turner (Eds.), Companion animals in human health (pp. 203-217). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
7. Baun, M.M., & McCabe, B.W. (2003). Companion animals and persons with dementia of the Alzheimer's type: Therapeutic possibilities. American Behavioral Scientist, 47, 42-51.
8. Becker, M., & Kushner, R. (2006). Fitness unleashed: A dog owner's guide to losing weight and gaining health together. New York: Random House.
9. Boldt, M.A., & Dellman-Jenkins, M. (1992). The impact of companion animals in later life and considerations for practice. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 11, 228-239.
10. Churchill, M., Safaoui, J., McCabe, B.W., & Baun, M.M. (1999). Using a therapy dog to alleviate the agitation and desocialization of people with Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 37, 16-22.
11. Connell, C.M., & Gibson, G.D. (1997). Racial, ethnic, and cultural differences in dementia caregiving: Review and analysis. The Gerontologist, 37, 355-364.
12. Connell, C.M., & Janevic, M.R. (2003). Effectiveness of a telephone-based exercise program for dementia caregivers: Results at 6-month follow-up. The Gerontologist, 43, 327.
13. Connell, C.M., Janevic, M.R., & Gallant, M.P. (2001). The costs of caring: Impact of dementia on family caregivers. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 14, 179-187.
14. Fogle, B. (1981). (Ed.). Interrelations between people and pets. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
15. Friedmann, E., Katcher, A.H., Lynch, J.J., & Thomas, S.A. (1980). Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95, 307-312.
16. Friedmann, E., & Thomas, S.A. (1995). Pet ownership, social support, and one-year survival after acute myocardial infarction in the cardiac arrhythmia suppression trial (CAST). American Journal of Cardiology, 76, 1213-1217.
17. Fritz, C.L., Farver, T.B., Hart, L.A., & Kass, P.H. (1996). Companion animals and the psychological health of Alzheimer patients' caregivers. Psychological Reports, 78, 467-481.
18. Garrity, T.F., & Stallones, L. (1998). Effects of pet contact on human well-being: Review of recent research. In C. C. Wilson & D. C. Turner (Eds.). Companion animals in human health (pp. 3-22). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
19. Garrity, T.F., Stallones, L., Marx, M.B., & Johnson, T.P. (1989). Pet ownership and attachment as supportive factors in the health of the elderly. Anthrozoos, 3, 35-44.
20. Goldmeier, J. (1986). Pets or people: Another research note. The Gerontologist, 26, 203-206.
21. Headey, B. (1999). Health benefits and health cost savings due to pets: Preliminary estimates from an Australian National Survey. Social Indicators Research, 47, 233-243.
22. Janevic, M.R., & Connell, C.M. (2001). Racial, ethnic, and cultural differences in the dementia caregiving experience: Recent findings. The Gerontologist, 41, 334-347.
23. Janevic, M.R., & Connell, C.M. (2004). Exploring self-care among dementia caregivers: The role of perceived support in accomplishing exercise goals. Journal of Women and Aging, 16, 71-86.
24. Katcher, A., & Beck. A. (Eds.). (1983). Proceedings of the International Conference on the Human/Companion Animal Bond. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
25. Levkoff, S.E., Prohaska, T.R., Weitzman, P.F., & Ory, M.G. (2000). Recruitment and retention in minority populations: Lessons learned in conducting research on health promotion and minority aging. New York: Springer.
26. Manor, W. (1991). Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers: The role of the human-animal bond. Holistic Nursing Practice, 5, 32-37.
27. Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
28. Ory, M.G., & Goldberg, E.L. (1983). Pet possession and well-being in elderly women. Research on Aging, 5, 389-410.
29. Raina, P., Waltner-Toews, D., Bonnett, B., Woodward, C., & Abernathy, T. (1999). Influence of companion animals on the physical and psychological health of older people: An analysis of a one-year longitudinal study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 47, 323-329.
30. Raveis, V.H., Mesagno, F., Karus, D., Gorey, E. (1993). Pet ownership as a protective factor supporting the emotional well-being of cancer patients and their family members. New York: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Social Work.
31. Robb, S.S., & Stegman, C.E. (1983). Companion animals and elderly people: A challenge for evaluators of social support. The Gerontologist, 23, 277-282.
32. Rogers, J., Hart, L.A., & Boltz, R.P. (1993). The role of pet dogs in casual conversations of elderly adults. Journal of Social Psychology, 133, 265-277.
33. Sable, P. (1995). Pets, attachment, and well-being across the life cycle. Social Work, 40 (3). 334-341.
34. Siegel, J.M. (1990). Stressful life events and use of physician services among the elderly: The moderating role of pet ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, 1081-1086.
35. Siegel, J.M. (1993). Companion animals: In sickness and health. Journal of Social Issues, 49, 157-167.
36. Thorpe, R.J., Simonsick, E.M., Brach, J.S., Ayonayon, H., Satterfield, S., Harris, T.B., et al. (2006). Dog ownership, walking behavior, and maintained mobility in late life. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54, 1419-1424.
37. Venske, M.H., Mayhew, M.S., & Burris, J.F. (1990). The perils of pet therapy. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 38, 830-831.