Dog handlers' experiences of therapy dogs' impact on life near death for persons with dementiaShow others and affiliations
2019 (English)In: International Journal of Palliative Nursing, ISSN 1357-6321, E-ISSN 2052-286X, Vol. 25, no 2, p. 65-71Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
BACKGROUND:: Persons with dementia may have severe physical and psychological symptoms at the end of life. A therapy dog used in their care can provide comfort and relieve their anxiety. The dog handler guides the dog during the interaction with the patient.
AIM:: To describe the impact of therapy dogs on people with dementia in the final stages of life from the perspective of the dog handler.
METHODS:: Interviews were conducted and analysed using qualitative content analysis.
FINDINGS:: The dog provides comfort and relief through its presence and by responding to the physical and emotional expressions of the dying person.
CONCLUSIONS:: Interactions with dogs were found to have a positive impact on persons with dementia and eased the symptoms associated with end of life according to the dog handlers.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Pensord Press Ltd., 2019. Vol. 25, no 2, p. 65-71
Keywords [en]
Animal-assisted therapy, Dementia, Palliative care, Therapy dog
National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Health and Welfare
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-87900DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2019.25.2.65ISI: 000458858200003PubMedID: 30785819Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85061972493OAI: oai:DiVA.org:oru-87900DiVA, id: diva2:1507741
Funder
The Dementia Association - The National Association for the Rights of the Demented
Note
Funding Agencies:
Agria Djurforsäkring
Sophiahemmet University
Sophiahemmet Research Foundation
Queen Silvia Fund for Education and Research
Kung Gustav V's and Queen Victoria's Foundation
Ragnhild and Einar Lundstrom Foundation
Svenska Kennelklubben
Dalarna University
2020-12-082020-12-082020-12-16Bibliographically approved