Western countries face ageing populations and increasing numbers of older adults receiving long-term care at home (home care). Approximately 50% of households in Western countries own pets, and whi...

Background: Pets play very important roles for older adults. However, whether the same roles apply to pets of care clients receiving long-term care at home (LTCH) is unclear. This study aimed primarily to explore whether the roles of pets for LTCH-clients who own pets are comparable to the roles of pets for older adults in the general population. Furthermore, we explored potential pet-related problems that might be encountered in LTCH in practice, and the potential influences of pet ownership on caregiving relationships. These insights may help improve long-term care services in LTCH. Methods: This project started with a study using the Consensual Qualitative Research method (CQR). We conducted semi-structured interviews based on themes from our previous review (e.g., Relational Aspects, Emotional Aspects, and Social Aspects). Secondly, an online survey was used to confirm the findings from the CQR study by calculating Content Validity Index scores (in SPSS 26) regarding contents, relevance, and clarity. The survey also included open-ended questions on potential pet-related problems and their impact on caregiving relationships for LTCH-clients, family caregivers, and professional caregivers. Results: The CQR study found that the roles pets play for LTCH-clients (N = 8), family caregivers (N = 10), and professional caregivers (N = 10) were similar to the roles pets play for older adults in the general population. The online survey confirmed most of the CQR findings. In the survey, LTCH-clients (N = 4), family caregivers (N = 8), professional caregivers (N = 8), and researchers in human-animal studies and in geriatric care (N = 5) reported various potential problems that could arise from pet ownership by LTCH-clients, such as clients with deteriorating health being forced to part with their pets. Participants also reported potential positive and negative effects of pet ownership on caregiving relationships, such as pets being a nice topic of conversation, or, conversely, a source of disagreement in the LTCH context. Conclusions: The roles pets play for LTCH-clients seem comparable to the roles pets play for older adults in the general population. In addition, LTCH-clients might experience pet-related problems specific to the LTCH context. Pets may influence caregiving relationships, either positively or negatively. Therefore, instruments and guidelines are needed to account for pets in LTCH.

Older adults receiving long-term care at home (LTCH-clients) were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its countermeasures. Previous research suggests that pets can mitigate some of the pandemic’s impacts for older adults but results are contradictory. Our aim was to investigate experiences of LTCH-clients and the significance of their pets during the pandemic. Accounting for saturation, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five LTCH-clients and four family caregivers of LTCH-clients with dementia. Participants were asked about their experiences with COVID-19 and the significance of LTCH-clients’ pets during the pandemic. Two researchers performed thematic analyses in ATLAS.ti using open coding and an iterative–inductive approach. All participants reported negative experiences as a result of COVID-19 countermeasures. Results suggested that caring for pets provided pet owners with structure, which may have contributed to a sense of stability and continuity. Our outcomes underlined an important role of pets for LTCH-clients both before and during the pandemic.

Objective: The relevance of pets in long-term home care is increasingly recognised because of their effects on health outcomes in clients and the rising number of clients receiving long-term care at home (further referred to as clients receiving home care). Currently, there is a lack of supportive materials that address pet -related challenges within home care. This study aimed to develop a toolkit for clients receiving home care with pets, their family, and professional caregivers using a participatory research approach. Methods: We used the Experience -Based Co -Design method involving clients receiving home care, family caregivers, and professional caregivers to create tools that are based on both theory and practice. This approach consists of four phases: 1) Exploring topics of emotional significance requiring attention (i.e., key moments) from the perspective of clients receiving home care, family caregivers, and professional caregivers; 2) Collaboratively prioritising these topics, through prioritisation meetings; 3) Developing and refining Toolkit materials through a co -design process; and 4) Evaluating the quality and feasibility of these materials. Results: Based on the results of a previously -conducted systematic review and individual interviews, we developed a preliminary information booklet and conversation cards. Subsequently, we conducted a total of 28 semi -structured interviews and seven focus groups, including one with representatives of animal interest organisations, such as veterinarians. This process led to the PET@home Toolkit which includes various materials to support pet ownership in home care settings, such as leaflets with advice on communication and animal welfare and an infographic. Conclusion: The PET@home Toolkit can support professional caregivers and their pet -owning clients receiving home care, family caregivers, and their pets. It may be a valuable addition to providing person -centred care in long-term care at home for clients with pets. The PET@home Toolkit and future updates will be readily available and free to download from May 2024 via the University Knowledge Network for Older Adult Care Nijmegen (www.ukonnetwerk.nl). Tweetable The PET@home Toolkit: Supporting pet ownership in long-term care at home.

The Dutch PET@home Toolkit was developed to mitigate challenges and foster conversations andplanning concerning pets in long-term care at home. This process evaluation study aimed to evaluate the practical application of the toolkit on four topics: 1) satisfaction; 2) relevance; 3) feasibility; and 4) integration of the PET@home Toolkit materials in home care. Outcomes may be used to improve the toolkit materials to better align with the long-term care at home setting. Accounting for data saturation, professional caregivers (N=6), clients (N=2), and family caregivers (N=2) who used toolkit materials participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed by two researchers in ATLAS.ti using an inductive-iterative approach. The researchers reached consensus on themes and clustering within interview topics. This led to the identification of the following topics and (themes): satisfaction (general impression, suggestions for improvement), relevance (awareness, planning, pet-related aspects in practice, impact on healthcare quality), feasibility (healthcare practice, competence, quantity), and implementation (digitalisation, task owner, piloting, timing). Several improvements were made to toolkit materials, such as providing clearer instructions for clientsin the information booklet. Participants acknowledged the toolkit could lead to better planning whilemitigating potential challenges concerning pets which may lead to longer-lasting relationships between clients and their pets

Background: Western countries face an aging population and increasing number of people with chronic illnesses. Many countries have shifted from a focus on institutional care to home-based care due to growing healthcare costs and pressure on long-term care. Despite, the increasing difficulty for contemporary family structures to support community-dwelling older adults (CDOA) who need care. However, about 50% of households own pets which may provide some social support for CDOA. A dearth of studies investigated the support pets provide to CDOA that receive long-term care but a better understanding of pets’ support in CDOA is needed to help develop healthcare protocols and interventions that account for pets in CDOA’s lives. Research Objective: To add insight into pets’ roles in support systems and the meaning this has for CDOA. Method: This integrative review was based on qualitative studies on CDOA with pets (average age 65+). Due to few studies on CDOA with pets with chronic illnesses, this review also includes CDOA without a chronic disease. PubMed and PsycINFO, were searched with (MeSH) variations on terms of older adults, pets, and qualitative study-designs. Additionally, reference lists of systematic reviews and HABRI Central were searched. The included articles were inductively analysed in ATLAS.ti. Results: A total of 15 articles were included in the review. 28 subthemes were categorised in 7 bidirectional factors: social, care, physical health, emotional, cognitive, bonding, and behavioural. CDOA indicate that pets are very important in their lives and have a positive influence on their social environment, mental, and physical health. However, also negative aspects of pet ownership were discussed. Limitations of the review were the varying research questions and diversity of participants in the included studies. Furthermore, we identified a need in some CDOA to keep their pets as long as possible. Conclusion: This review adds a more comprehensive view on the meaning and role of pets in providing support to CDOA. However, more research is needed into the effects of the revealed factors on the wellbeing of CDOA and healthcare organisations should consider the development of guidelines accounting for the pets of long-term care clients.