Lonely Seniors Prefer Playtime With Pooch Over Human Interaction

[Celebration]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060108215831.htm

A new Saint Louis University study shows there is some truth in the old cliché that describes a dog as "man's best friend."

"Or at least a less aggravating friend," said study author William A. Banks, M.D., professor of geriatrics in the department of internal medicine and professor of pharmacological and physiological sciences at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Nursing home residents felt much less lonely after spending time alone with a dog than they did when they visited with a dog and other people. The research will be published in the March 2006 issue of Anthrozoos 18(4).

"It was a strange finding," said Banks, who also is a staff physician at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Louis. "We had thought that the dog acts as a social lubricant and increases the interaction between the residents. We expected the group dog visits were going to work better, but they didn't.

[Nay]

1. This doesn't really surprise me. Human interaction has always

been fraught with pain of all kinds, amidst some pleasures. Interaction with friendly animals is ALWAYS positive, never painful. They give love and comfort with no restrictions or demands other than simple food and shelter. Few humans are so giving.

I would imagine that many seniors are pretty tired of humans by the time they get to be old. Animals are so much more pleasant.

[Bellamia]

9. You are closer to the truth than you may realize.........

As you said:

I would imagine that many seniors are pretty tired of humans by the time they get to be old. Animals are so much more pleasant.

[Coastie for Truth]

2. Replicates a UCLA Study

And when Dad was terminally ill with cancer- his dog would not leave his side.

My Mom is the same way - in fact she prefers her dog to her kids or grand kids.

[jody]

3. What might work for "Thirty-seven nursing home residents" may not work for

other seniors. The article title is completely misleading, "Man's Best Friend: Study Shows Lonely Seniors Prefer Playtime With Pooch Over Human Interaction".

[GrumpyGreg]

6. I'm a senior but hardly lonely and I adore my little dog.

The thing is,my dog needs me and no one else really does---which is the way it should be.

I love my family and friends but it may be different for lonely folks in a nursing home who are entertained or visited by social workers and strangers.

[Coastie for Truth]

12. My MSW (Geriatrics) LW spouse

agrees with the article.

[SmokingJacket]

4. Not surprising.

My mother has preferred dogs over humans for years now...

[Atman]

5. No shit!

A dog never talks back, never bitches about dinner...I can't believe anybody is surprised by this. These people have spent the last 40, 50, 60 years of their lives with some old coot they regret ever marrying and now they have a lapdog that loves them unconditionally. Can you say "DUH!" without spitting out your uppers?

[tulsakatz]

7. it's not surprising to me

I always prefer spending time with my cats over spending time with people!!

Cats are beautiful, peaceful animals but mostly they're more fun than people!!

[Waya]

8. Don't blame' em

[Warpy]

10. Dogs are not only uncritical companions

who don't give a rip if your top matches your pants or your hair is styled and combed, they also don't need somebody with poor hearing to strain to catch the conversation.

Dogs and cats are much better companions for old folks than people are for these reasons. Having other people around would just provide too much of a distraction for them to enjoy the companionship.

[OneBlueSky]

11. my dogs have been my spiritual advisors for years . . .

some of the things they have taught me include . . .

- living in the moment
- unconditional love
- forgiveness
- simplicity
- the value of play
- not worrying what others think
- true friendship

and there are many others . . . I much prefer spending time with my dog than with most people . . . some may see this as a sad and lonely way to live . . . to me, it's joyful, enlightening, and without significant conflict . . . not many places you can get that these days . . . :)