Animal Shelter Partners With Elderly Care Facility To Save Both Orphaned Kittens And Elders
When an animal shelter in Arizona needed extra help taking care of the newborn kittens, they made an unexpected decision and turned to a senior care facility for help. “To some, it may seem peculiar at first: Residents who are in need of around-the-clock care themselves, given the task to care for these young kittens,” says Catalina Springs Memory Care Executive Director Sharon Mercer. “But there are skills, emotions, and needs that do not just leave a person with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. The desire to give love and receive love remains.”
The program who was created by the health services director Rebecca Hamilton. In addition to caring for the elders, the woman also volunteers to foster felines. She noticed that taking care of cats was bringing her a lot of joy and happiness, and knew she had to share it with the seniors.
The initiative proved to be a success, as the overall condition of both the kittens and the elderly has improved. The elders were asked to take care of two newborn cats, Turtle and Peaches, and both of the kittens have doubled in weight. As for patients of the memory care facility, ”The kittens have given us the opportunity to nurture this human condition that lies in each and every one of our residents,” says Mercer. The joy that the elderly get from bottle feeding, socializing, and cuddling needy newborns is immense – and the kittens feel grateful too.
More info: Pima Animal Care Center | Catalina Springs Memory Care (h/t)
When an animal shelter in Arizona needed extra hands, they turned to a senior care facility for help
At first is seems peculiar to give these kittens to those who need care themselves
“But there are skills, emotions, and needs that do not just leave a person with Dementia or Alzheimer’s,”
“The desire to give love and receive love remains”
The initiative proved to be a success, as the overall condition of both the kittens and the elderly has improved.
”The kittens have given us the opportunity to nurture this human condition that lies in each and every one of our residents”
The joy that the elderly get from bottle feeding, socializing, and cuddling needy newborns is immense – and the kittens feel grateful too
99Kviews
Share on Facebook
This should become a nationwide practice! In fact, why not worldwide? Brilliant idea -- benefits both the two-legged and the four-legged creatures.
"To some, it may seem peculiar at first..." Really?? Just because some folks need help taking their meds and assistance with daily personal care does not mean they've also lost the capacity to feel vulnerable, alone and unwanted; feelings which gradually consume the soul until we're empty inside. When our need to feel needed is met, it restores our dignity, our self-esteem, our strength that comes from feeling independent; it's a powerful restorative to our energy, our zest and restores our ability to hope for more than just surviving today. Just look at these lovely people's faces positively aglow as they GIVE care to a truly helpless creature who NEEDS them, rather than their usual role of receiving care. This is not pity for these patients; they're giving life-sustaining care to these kittens. Even though this caregiving is a form of therapy for these patients, the joy reflected in their loving eyes and gentle hands is a joy immeasurable and priceless.
This honestly made me tear-up . It's so beautiful and the basal instinct we all have as very small children (giving a doll a bottle) does indeed stay with you for the rest of your life! My nan passed from dementia and around the time it was diagnosed until her last day she had a doll she looked after like her own baby
My mums uses to work in an Alzheimer’s unit at an elderly living home. She twice a week would take our cat Ginny in. They loved it, and Ginny loved the attention!
We know what the name of the shelter in Arizona is called ? I live in Arizona and would love to know.
Just the look on their faces (cats too!) makes it all the more special!
The healing power of animals and of socialising can't be over estimated. This is an awesome example of thinking outside the box!
Who comes up with the titles? Do these elders need to be "saved'? From who? From what? Dementia and Alzheimer's aren't treatable, and are just part of the cycle of life.
This should become a nationwide practice! In fact, why not worldwide? Brilliant idea -- benefits both the two-legged and the four-legged creatures.
"To some, it may seem peculiar at first..." Really?? Just because some folks need help taking their meds and assistance with daily personal care does not mean they've also lost the capacity to feel vulnerable, alone and unwanted; feelings which gradually consume the soul until we're empty inside. When our need to feel needed is met, it restores our dignity, our self-esteem, our strength that comes from feeling independent; it's a powerful restorative to our energy, our zest and restores our ability to hope for more than just surviving today. Just look at these lovely people's faces positively aglow as they GIVE care to a truly helpless creature who NEEDS them, rather than their usual role of receiving care. This is not pity for these patients; they're giving life-sustaining care to these kittens. Even though this caregiving is a form of therapy for these patients, the joy reflected in their loving eyes and gentle hands is a joy immeasurable and priceless.
This honestly made me tear-up . It's so beautiful and the basal instinct we all have as very small children (giving a doll a bottle) does indeed stay with you for the rest of your life! My nan passed from dementia and around the time it was diagnosed until her last day she had a doll she looked after like her own baby
My mums uses to work in an Alzheimer’s unit at an elderly living home. She twice a week would take our cat Ginny in. They loved it, and Ginny loved the attention!
We know what the name of the shelter in Arizona is called ? I live in Arizona and would love to know.
Just the look on their faces (cats too!) makes it all the more special!
The healing power of animals and of socialising can't be over estimated. This is an awesome example of thinking outside the box!
Who comes up with the titles? Do these elders need to be "saved'? From who? From what? Dementia and Alzheimer's aren't treatable, and are just part of the cycle of life.
594
33