Centre for Policy on Ageing



Effects of pet ownership on the health and well-being of older people
Author(s)	Y Wells, H Rodi
Journal title	Australasian Journal on Ageing, vol 19.3, August 2000
Pages	pp 143-148
Keywords	Pet keeping ; Health [elderly] ; Well being ; Isolation ; Australia.
Annotation	The benefits and disadvantages of owning a pet were explored in two studies. Data from an Australian Health Status of Older People (HSOP) project were used to compare the health, health behaviours and well-being of those who owned and did not own pets. In addition, 20 older people were interviewed in-depth about pet ownership and the impact on their lives. Few health or well-being outcomes were produced by pet ownership. Having a pet did not compensate for social isolation. The qualitative data largely substantiate and provide possible explanations for the survey findings. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-001204204 A
Classmark	HVT: CC: D:F:5HH: TP: 7YA
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing

...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.