Pets are closer than family for locked-down dementia patients

Furry friends are stepping in where visitors cannot tread.

The Views, a dementia care facility in Comox, is home to about 170 residents needing long-term or hospice care, plus one dog, three cats, four birds, and countless fish. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the residence to limit families and guests to physically-distant “window visits,” these animals proved to be welcome in-house companions.

“Pets have added a lot of comfort to combat loneliness among residents. They are also a lovely distraction if they are feeling anxious or depressed,” said Jane Murphy, president and CEO of Providence Living.

For example, one of the cats apparently noticed that a resident with dementia and in her late 90s had become distressed and would not eat. The cat seemed drawn to her, coming often to her room to lie in bed next to her and offer its companionship. The woman eventually calmed and was able to start eating again.

“Having the live-in pets is so important. There are non-judgmental beings offering a different kind of affection,” said Murphy.

Providence Living is a faith-based, non-profit health-care organization established by Providence Health Care. It operates The Views at St. Joseph’s Hospital, a site which will eventually be transformed into a dementia village, following the lead of an innovative Dutch care model that is less residence and more community, with easy access to the outdoors and onsite amenities like a grocery store and pub.

Providence Living is supported by St. Paul’s Foundation, Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation, and the Auxiliary Society for Comox Valley Healthcare.

The first pet to arrive to The Views was a black Labrador Retriever, an assistance dog, about 15 years ago. Since then, the care home has hosted various other animals and even hosted summer competitions and parades with local canines.

When strict visiting limits were imposed to protect residents from a new coronavirus, another reason to have them around made itself very clear.

It seems paws, whiskers, feathers, and fins are at The Views to stay.