Useful Tasks Aid Adults With Dementia
FURRY FRIENDS HOW PETS BOOST WELL-BEING FOR ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA
dementia who owned or cared for a dog or cat were more likely to have spent more than three hours walking in any given week and were less likely to be lonely, according to a 2021 study of 1,542 people. Contact with animals appears to calm antisocial behavior among patients in more advanced stages of the disease. Nursing home patients with dementia who had regular contact with a therapy dog during treatment exhibited less aggression, anxiety, and depression after 10 weeks, compared with those who experienced treatment without a dog, according to a controlled study of 65 patients. The benefits extend beyond contact with dogs or cats. Simply eating meals in front of a fish tank for eight weeks was linked to better nutrition and weight gain in dementia patients,
according to a review of nearly three decades of past research. And when researchers compared the effects of having a plant nearby with the impact of introducing a companion canary, patients with the canary nearby showed improvement in psychiatric symptoms and satisfaction with life. The research holds hope for caregivers, too, who benefit from the support a beloved pet or cuddly therapeutic animal can provide. Some researchers have proposed using social robots as pets for elderly patients. This is a hot-button issue for critics who resist the idea of inviting a patient to become emotionally attached to a robot. Nevertheless, a survey of nine peer-reviewed studies linked the use of low-cost robotic pets with improved mood, better social interaction, and increased well- being in patients with dementia.
Adults struggling with dementia face complex emotional losses, from a sense of isolation to frustration over unmet needs. The mutual affection and ready acceptance offered by a dog, cat, or other pet or therapy animal can have a powerful healing effect. The 55% of adults ages 50–80 who have a dog, cat, or other pet report numerous benefits, including reduced stress, a sense of purpose, and a feeling of being loved, according to a survey of 2,000 older adults. Research shows the benefits for older adults with dementia can be especially meaningful. People living at home with mild to moderate
TAKE A BREAK
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 425 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Cut tofu into small nugget-size pieces. 3. In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently toss to combine. 4. Add tofu nuggets to the bowl and toss to coat. 5. Arrange tofu nuggets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. 6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. INGREDIENTS • 1 block (14 oz) extra firm tofu, drained and pressed • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp dried oregano • Salt and pepper, to taste Baked Tofu Nuggets
AUTUMN BOO CANDY COFFEE FOLIAGE GHOST
GOURD MOON SPOOKY SOUP TAILGATE TOUCHDOWN
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