Health Benefits of Having Pets
While any pet owner can certainly attest to the many benefits of living with a furry friend, research confirming the health benefits of senior pet ownership have appeared in many well-respected publications and medical journals. Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. Some of the health benefits of having a pet include: decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decreased feelings of loneliness and increased opportunities for socialization.
The Benefits of Human–Companion Animal Interaction: A Review
This article provides a review of research published since 1980 on the benefits of human–companion animal interaction. Studies focusing on the benefits of pet ownership are presented first, followed by research on the benefits of interacting with companion animals that are not owned by the subject (animal-assisted activities). While most of the published studies are descriptive and have been conducted with convenience samples, a promising number of controlled studies support the health benefits of interacting with companion animals.
Dog Walking, the Human–Animal Bond and Older Adults’ Physical Health
Walking is positively associated with health outcomes in older adults. Dog walking may differ from other reasons for walking (i.e., recreation, transportation) because it involves the relationship with a companion animal. Although some studies linking dog ownership with walking have benefited from robust and nationally representative samples, the majority of studies exploring the motivation of dog walking have had small samples sizes.
Pet Ownership May Be a Factor in Improved Health of the Elderly
The familiar adage “pets are good for your health” is an interesting but largely untested theory. A new model was developed, based on pet ownership leads to better self care, to show possible associations between pet ownership with eating, exercise, nutritional status, and specific cardiovascular risk factors. Seniors aged sixty and above were solicited mainly at senior congregate meals program sites in north-central Colorado (n = 127) to participate in this cross-sectional, observational study.
Health Education Articles
Rainbow Health has several articles on LGBTQ+ health education inclulding: Get Condoms, Tips for Healthy Queer Sex, Understanding Anal Sex, The Internal Condom, Anal Hygiene for a Healthy Sex Life, Older Adults: Know Your Rights, and Tips for Finding Aging LGBTQ+ Service Providers.
Source: Rainbow Health
https://rainbowhealth.org/
LGBTQ+ Older Adults: Know Your Rights
In Minnesota, LGBTQ+ Older Adults and Older Adults Living with HIV Have Rights. This webpage provides a list of rights and legal resources.
Source: Rainbow Health, 2023
https://rainbowhealth.org/
Tips for Finding Aging LGBTQ+ Service Providers
As an aging LGBTQ+ adult or caregiver, you might be looking for more help and services. However, it can be hard to trust new people with personal details of your life––especially during times of physical and emotional change. Here are 10 tips to help you find LGBTQ+ affirming service providers.
Source: Rainbow Health, 2023
https://rainbowhealth.org/
South Florida Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (SFGWEP) Podcast Series
The South Florida Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (SFGWEP) podcast series is committed to providing interprofessional programs to maintain and improve the health of ethnically and culturally diverse older adults from underserved areas across Florida, educating and training health professionals in health promotion and prevention, emphasizing undergraduate and graduate professional education, and serving the needs of underserved with innovative teaching and clinical experiences.
Talking Elder Abuse Toolkit
Talking Elder Abuse is a collection of framing research, recommendations, and sample communications. This toolkit is designed to help experts and advocates who work in this field to increase public understanding of: why elder abuse is a matter of public concern; the causes of elder abuse, including the social determinants and environmental factors that can foster the occurrence of abuse; and what solutions can most effectively prevent elder abuse, address existing cases, and improve the conditions and wellbeing of those who have experienced abuse.
HRSA Train Health Care Workers About Dementia
Our training materials help educators teach health care workers about dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. We developed these training materials for: health professions faculty, students, primary care practitioners, members of a geriatrics care team, and direct service workers. The training includes 37 modules in four series: An overview of dementia and health care provider roles (16 modules); Helping caregivers (5 modules); How providers address caregiver needs (4 modules); and Nursing home training modules (12 modules).