'Let OAPs keep pets in homes' (From Witney Gazette)

'Let OAPs keep pets in homes'

6:57pm Monday 9th November 2009

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PENSIONERS should be allowed to take their pets into nursing homes, according to a care home manager.

Last week, an older people, pets and housing conference was held in London – organised by Burford-based Society for Companion Animal Studies as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.

The society works closely with the Blue Cross animal charity, which is based near Burford.

Pippa Hawes, 45, who runs Heathfield House nursing home, near Bletchingdon, for up to 48 residents over 65, is backing the society’s call for more pensioners to be allowed to take their pets with them when they go into care.

She said: “We do allow residents to keep pets. It’s mostly cats and dogs, and I have my own Jack Russell and a mongrel which I bring with me.

“Most of our residents come from local villages and they are used to having pets, so they want to bring them when they come here.

“It can be very traumatic for elderly people when they are asked to leave their best friend behind, and bringing pets with them makes the transition to a new place much easier.

“We have a large garden here and pride ourselves on being pet-friendly, but I can understand that some homes in city centres might not have as much room to cater for them.

“Having animals in our home definitely has a beneficial effect on our residents.”

Alice Atkinson, 86, a resident at the home for the past eight months, said: “I love cats and dogs and it’s a great comfort to have them around.”

Anne Chambers, activities manager at the home, added: “The residents also feed chickens in the garden and collect the eggs – they really enjoy it.”

The conference encouraged debate on the issues facing providers of long-term residential care and sheltered housing for the elderly.

At the moment, only 35 per cent of homes in the UK have formal policies to manage the needs of older people who wish to keep pets, despite research which supports the benefits.

Elizabeth Ormerod, chairman of the Society for Companion Animal Studies, and a practising vet, has been working to raise awareness of the issue for the past 25 years.

She said: “There is plenty of evidence to suggest that if owners are allowed to keep their pets their blood pressure comes down and they feel a lot better.

“As the number of older people in Britain continues to grow, it is more important than ever that we ensure the difficult transition into residential care is as painless as possible.”

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