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Faisability of pet visit for acute geriatric patient
Roeland A, et al
Faisability of pet visit for acute geriatric patient
Roeland A.*, Delvaux D*, Lacroix I*, Van Collie I **, Vandeville J**, Fontaine V* Ceulemans S.*
* Geriatric Unit. Clinique Edith Cavell, CHIREC, Brussels, Belgium.
**OASIS. Clinique Edith Cavell, CHIREC, Brussels, Belgium.
Introduction:
Aging is related to loneliness, social isolation. The proportion of pet owners is unknown in the aging population. The role of the pet in this age group seems important in terms of socialisation, well being and psychological support.
Several programs concerning pet visit therapy have been developed. Our program was based on providing possibility of pet owners to have a contact with their pet during hospitalisation in the acute geriatric unit. Patient during their hospitalisation were allowed to spend several hours with their pet in a comfortable and separated unit suited for pet visit (OASIS).
Aim:
During a six-month period we measure the number of pet owners and the proportion of patients who would benefit of their pet visit during their hospitalisation.
Results:
During the six months period, 158 elderly (mean age: 84,4 years) patients were admitted (M/F= 42/116). Most of them where living in the community (70%). Only 30% were living in residential or nursing homes (30%). Mean length of stay was 18 days. Mean Katz score for our population was 13/24.
Seventeen patients (11%) were pet owners. No pet owners were living in nursing homes or residential facilities. It means, that 15% of our elderly patient living in the community is pet owner. Of the seventeen pet owners, nine patients were cat?s owner (52%) and eight of dog (48%). Five patients enjoyed a pet visit during their hospitalisation. Five did not express the need for, three refused because they said not to tolerate the separation after the visit, three other were afraid for perturbation of the lifestyle of their animal. For one patient, visit was not possible to organise because of a short stay in hospital.
Conclusion
Proportion of elderly patient living home with a pet was significant in our population (15%).
Acceptability for a pet visit of elderly hospitalised patient and owner of a pet was significant (30%).
Dogs were the most suited animal for pet visit during hospitalisation.
OASIS Project is supported by a grant from the ?Fondation du Prince Laurent?
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