[Significance of pets in long-term care at home]

Pets are important in the lives of community-dwelling older adults and of those receiving long-term care at home (LTCH). The objective of this project was to explore the significance of pets for community-dwelling older adults and if this also applies for LTCH-clients. Moreover, we investigated potential pet-related challenges and the impact of pet ownership on caregiving relationships in LTCH.

The project included a systematic qualitative literature review and a Consensual Qualitative Research method (CQR) study and an online survey to confirm the results of the review in LTCH. LTCH-clients, family caregivers, and professional caregivers participated in the CQR study and survey. The survey also included open-questions on potential pet-related challenges and their influence on caregiving relationships in LTCH.

The review included fifteen articles describing twenty-eight themes regarding the significance of pets placed in seven categories. Outcomes of the CQR study and survey indicated similar significance of pets for community-dwelling older adults and LTCH-clients. Furthermore, participants reported potential challenges and positive and negative effects of pet ownership on caregiving relationships.

Pets have similar significance for both community-dwelling older adults and LTCH-clients. Moreover, LTCH-clients may experience specific pet-related challenges and may positively or negatively influence caregiving relationships. Thus, it is necessary to account for pets in LTCH.