Categories
- Reduce Social Isolation
- Reduce Feelings of Loneliness
- Reduce Use of Antipsychotics and other Medications
- Increased Quality of Life
- Others: Decreased Agitation; Increased Cooperation with Activities of Daily Living
Organization Name
Alacare Home Health and Hospice
Organization Type
Home Health and Hospice
Organization Description
Alacare is Alabama’s oldest and largest family-owned home health care
agency. Since 1970, Alacare has provided patients with quality home
healthcare including hospice/palliative care and rehabilitation services.
Project Description
Alacare has long recognized the value of pet assisted visits and therapies
with home bound patients, but the liability risks for incorporating live pets
into our patient-centered care provisions has stifled the prospects for the
inclusion of 4-legged volunteers into our programs.
Providentially, John Beard, President of Alacare Home Health and Hospice,
discovered the animated, robotic Joy For All Companion Pets. Under his
guidance and leadership, Alacare developed and completed a Companion
Pet Pilot Study in 2018. Hospice patients experiencing anxiety due to
advancing dementia and other patients perceived at risk for social isolation
were considered for participation in the study.