“Resident cats” in nursing home: Pilot study of residents' and caregivers' attachment to cats in Alzheimer’s and disability units.
Chats dans les EHPAD: Étude pilote de l’acceptabilité et de l’attachement tels que perçus par les résidents et les proches aidants dans les unités Alzheimer et handicapÉtude pilote
Résumé
Introduction: In nursing homes, presence of animals can be a vector of social stimuli between caregivers and residents, promoting communication, trust and openness to others. This study focuses on residents and caregivers in four living units: three Alzheimer's units (ADU) and one disability unit (DISU). The objective was to describe both the impact of the “resident cat(s)” on the daily work of the caregivers and the attachment that the residents and caregivers have to the cat(s).
Methodology: Questionnaires were distributed to 24 caregivers and 24 residents (mean age = 81.9 years) in: two ADU with one cat, one DISU with two cats and one ADU having had a cat in the past. The caregiver questionnaire consisted of three parts, including their opinion on 1) the presence of the cat in the unit, 2) the presence of the cat with the residents, and 3) the presence of the cat in their daily work. The residents' questionnaire included eight questions about their attachment to the animal of their unit.
Results: Among the caregivers, 62.5% were in favor or very much in favor of the “resident cat” and 87.5% felt that their cat(s) contributed to the psychological and emotional well-being of the residents. In terms of attachment to the animal, our results show that 95.8% of residents and 58.3% of caregivers are attached or strongly attached to their cat(s).
Main findings and implications for the field: The permanent presence of a cat generates attachment for both caregivers and residents. Some caregivers feel that "there can be a strong bond between caregiver and cat", and that the cat provides "soothing and gentleness", while some residents "enjoy the purring and petting". This pilot study highlighted the importance of resident cats as emotional support of both caregivers and residents.
Domaines
Sciences cognitivesOrigine | Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s) |
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