In France, Alzheimer's disease has become the leading cause of entry into nursing homes. Treatments currently being developed only reduce the physical symptoms of the disease without stopping its progression.
[Article issu de The Conversation, écrit par Marie Pelé, Chargée de recherche en éthologie, Institut catholique de Lille (ICL), Anthony Piermattéo, Professeur de psychologie sociale, Institut catholique de Lille (ICL), Cédric Sueur, Professeur des Universités en éthologie, primatologie et éthique animale, Université de Strasbourg, Héloïse Vesque-Annear, Doctorante en éthologie et psychologie sociale, Institut catholique de Lille (ICL), Marine Grandgeorge, Ethologie, Relation Homme – Animal, Médiation Animale, Développement typique et atypique, Université de Rennes 1 – Université de Rennes]
However, the first symptoms can appear around the age of 60 and the disease affects more than a million people. This is why, since 2011, the High Authority of Health has recommended the use of non-pharmacological supplements in order to treat and prevent the onset of health problems linked to Alzheimer's. Among them is animal mediation, an intervention where the animal is intentionally present to contribute to the physical, psychological or even emotional well-being of the elderly person. Indeed, in the context of pathologies such as dementia in the elderly, one of the benefits observed is the ability to create social bonds in the presence of the animal, which will then act as a social “lubricant” facilitating interactions. conversations, smiles, or gestures while stimulating cognitive and sensory functions. Of all the pets welcomed in nursing homes, the cat is the most present either as a permanent “resident” in the living units, or as an occasional “visitor” with an animal mediation worker. Compared to interaction with a dog, the cat would further reduce the expression of depressive symptoms in the elderly. This plurality of practices makes animal mediation difficult to quantify on a national scale and remains an approach specific to each establishment.
In order to study the impact of the permanent presence of a cat in living units, our study is based on the analysis of resident-caregiver-animal social networks which is still too little investigated in gerontology. This consists of noting the different interactions between individuals (physical contacts, verbal exchanges, looks or others) whether they are residents, caregivers or cats.
Experiences in nursing homes
Such a methodology makes it possible to reflect the social relationships between residents and caregivers but also the social relationships between humans and animals without changing their daily lives. Thus, we compared living units of elderly people with and without cats. Four living units were thus observed for 30 days: three living units welcoming elderly people with Alzheimer's, two of which have a cat in residence and one living unit welcoming elderly people with disabilities and having two cats in residence. Each unit was observed for 45 hours (i.e. 1.5 hours/day) for a total observation of 180 hours.
The results obtained during this study highlight that cats seem to adapt to the context of the pathologies of the units by occupying the areas of the living space differently between the units welcoming elderly people with Alzheimer's and elderly people with disabilities. This result can be explained by the frequent wandering and agitation of residents with Alzheimer's in the living room. This commotion may have caused the cats to occupy less frequented areas of the unit, namely the residents' rooms. On the contrary, the cats in the unit welcoming elderly people with disabilities preferentially occupy the living room and the outdoor terrace where the residents wander around little, most of them being in wheelchairs.
Privileged interactions with certain residents
Contrary to our expectations, the visualization of none of the social networks studied did not reveal differences between the four units; suggesting that these units behave in a similar way whether they have a cat or not and whatever its pathological context (Alzheimer's or disability). However, we note that the chat occupies a peripheral position within the social network, with privileged interactions with certain residents.
Our results suggest that for cats, social interactions are dependent on a reciprocity of interaction, whether physical or verbal, with the resident. They also illustrate that the more a resident shows a keen interest and attachment to the cat, the more the cat will interact and be in proximity to the latter. Our results also demonstrated a link between physical proximity to the cat and caregiver sociality. In fact, the more caregivers are in physical contact with the animal, the more they interact with the different members of the unit.
Chat, a real social lubricant
This confirms that the cat plays the role of a social lubricant for caregivers by promoting communication and even reducing their anxiety at work. Finally, it is important to realize that residents and caregivers carry out twice as many indirect interactions with the animal: talking to it, soliciting it, than direct interactions such as carrying it, stroking it or even rewarding it for a treat. This result is important to illustrate that interacting socially with the animal does not necessarily imply physical contact with it. The mere presence of the animal becomes a common interest between residents and caregivers, improving the quality of life within the nursing home's living units.
All the scientific advances in the field of animal mediation and the new legislative measure relating to the reception of pets in nursing homes are promising but raise new questions.
Indeed, the proper integration of animals in establishments is dependent on multiple factors linked to the responsibility for the management of one or more animals in the units but also to the acceptability of the nursing staff and relatives. The analysis of resident-caregiver-animal social networks is an encouraging methodological avenue for evaluating these aspects and proposing sustainable animal reception strategies within establishments.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
