Zusammenfassung
Tiere können die Gesundheit und das Wohlbefinden von Menschen auf verschiedenem Wege positiv beeinflussen. Internationale Erfahrungsberichte und Einzelfallstudien verweisen auf die gesundheitsfördernden Effekte tiergestützter Intervention insbesondere bei alten und dementen Menschen. Die DFG-Studie „Tiergestützte Intervention bei Demenzkranken“ untersuchte erstmals systematisch die Verbesserung von psychosozialem Wohlbefinden und Gesundheit sowie die Förderung der Alltagskompetenzen demenziell erkrankter PatientInnen durch ein Programm intensiver tiergestützter Gruppentherapie. Ziel dieser kontrollierten Intervention war eine möglichst lange Erhaltung und Förderung der eigenen Lebenszufriedenheit und Selbstständigkeit durch individuelle Ressourcenaktivierung im Verlauf der Demenz. Es wurde vergleichend und längsschnittlich untersucht, inwieweit und wie nachhaltig sich regelmäßige Mensch-Tier-Begegnungen auf Demenzerkrankte auswirken.
Abstract
Animals can positively influence human quality of life and well-being in various ways. International studies provide some evidence for the effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions, especially for old people suffering from dementia. The present research project “Animal-assisted interventions for people suffering from dementia” (funded by the German Research Society, DFG) investigates the effects of a structured animal-assisted intervention program on quality of life and psychosocial well-being of elderly people diagnosed with dementia. The aim of this program was to enhance the state of life satisfaction and keep autonomy in daily life in the course of this neurodegenerative disease. The cross-sectional and longitudinal study investigates the extent and the duration of effects of regular interactions with animals on people suffering from dementia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Literatur
Buettner, L. (2008). Pet encounters: Animal-assisted therapy for frail older adults. Activities Directors’. Quarterly for Alzheimer’s & Other Dementia Patients, 9, 29–45.
Churchill, M., Safaoui, J., McCabe, B.W., & Baun, M. M. (1999). Using a therapy dog to alleviate the agitation and desocialization of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 37, 16–22.
Cummings, J. L., Mega, M., Gray, K., Rosenberg-Thompson, S., Carusi, D. A., & Gornbein, J. (1994). The neuropsychiatric inventory: Comprehensive assessment of psychopathology in dementia. Neurology, 44, 2308–2314.
Galasko, D., Bennett, D., Sano, M., Ernesto, C., Thomas, R., Grundman, M., Ferris, S. H., & the Alzheimer`s Disease Cooperative Study. (1997). An inventory to assess activities of daily living for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders, 11, 33–39.
Greer, K. L., Pustay, K. A., Zaun, T. C., & Coppens, P. (2001). A comparison of the effects of toys versus live animals on the communication of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type. Clinical Gerontologist, 24, 157–182.
Kanamori, M., Suzuki, M., Yamamoto, K., Kanda, M., Matsui, Y., Kojima, E., Fukawa, H., Sugita, T., & Oshiro, H. (2001). A day care program and evaluation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for the elderly with senile dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 16, 234–239.
Kawamura, N., Niiyama, M., & Niiyama, H. (2007). Long-term evaluation of animal-assisted therapy for institutionalized elderly people: a preliminary result. Psychogeriatrics, 7, 8–13.
Kongable, L. G., Buckwalter, K. C., & Stolley, J. M. (1989). The effects of pet therapy on the social behavior of institutionalized Alzheimer’s Clients. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 3, 191–198.
Levinson, B. M. (1962). The dog as a „co-therapist“. Mental Hygiene, 46, 59–65.
Logsdon, R. G., Gibbons, L. E., McCurry, S. M., & Teri, L. (1999). Quality of life in Alzheimer’s disease: Patient and caregiver reports. Journal of Mental Health & Aging, 5, 21–32.
McCabe, B. W., Baun, M. M., Speich, D., & Agrawal, S. (2002). Resident Dog in the Alzheimer’s special care unit. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24, 684–696.
Morris, J. C., Heyman, A., Mohs, R. C., Hughes, J. P., van Belle, G., Fillenbaum, G., Mellits, E. D., & Clark, C. (1989). The consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer’s disease (CERAD). Part I. Clinical and neuropsychological assessment of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurology, 39, 1159–1165.
Motomura, Y., Yagi, T., & Ohyama, H. (2004). Animal assisted therapy for people with dementia. Psychogeriatrics, 4, 40–42.
Nestmann, F. (1994). Tiere helfen heilen. Wissenschaftliche Zeitschrift der Technischen Universität Dresden, 43, 64–74.
Perkins, J. (2008). Dog-assisted therapy for older people with dementia: A review. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 27, 177–182.
Richeson, N. E. (2003). Effects of animal-assisted therapy on agitated behaviors and social interactions of older adults with dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 18, 353–358.
Sellers, D. (2005). The evaluation of an animal assisted therapy intervention for elders with dementia in long-term care. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 30, 61–77.
Walsh, P., Mertin, P., Verlander, D., & Pollard, C. (1995). The effects of a ‚Pet as Therapy‘ dog on persons with dementia in a psychiatric ward. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 42, 161–166.
Williams, E., & Jenkins, R. (2008). Dog visitation therapy in dementia care: A literature review. Nursing older people, 20, 31–35.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wesenberg, S., Werner, J., Beckmann, A. et al. Tiergestützte Intervention bei demenziell erkrankten PflegeheimbewohnerInnen. Soz Passagen 4, 297–302 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12592-012-0116-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12592-012-0116-0