Dementia patient stopped talking at her nursing home — until a cat was placed in her lap
'I think you like that cat?' someone asked, and she looked at her smiling.
No matter how hard they tried, the nursing staff of a care unit couldn't get an old lady with dementia to open up. She would sit alone all day without talking to anyone. But that changed instantly the day she met Almond, an adorable cat, who quietly brought warmth back into her lonely world. The cat's pet parent posted the video (@almondandcashie) on Instagram on February 3.
The old lady was relaxing on the couch when someone placed Almond on her lap. Surprisingly, she didn't get scared; in fact, the lady immediately held Almond close to her heart. She started petting her while whispering sweet nothings into her ears. Another elderly lady sitting next to her also looked shocked. And rightfully so, because the nursing staff revealed the lady with dementia hadn't talked in weeks before she met Almond. The cat also behaved as if she had known her for a long time. In fact, she instantly settled in her lap as if they were best friends meeting after ages. "I think you like that cat?" someone asked, and the lady just looked at them, grinning ear to ear. Almond is a bit chubby, and so the old lady assumed she was pregnant. Confused, she asked the pet parent, who jokingly responded, "She looks like it, but no." You can check the post here.
Several scientific studies have proved that animals indeed have a positive impact on patients with dementia. For instance, a team of researchers found 11 studies involving 825 people with dementia, and found that animal-assisted therapy helped reduce emotional and behavioral problems. They found that patients were much calmer, and they felt emotionally better around animals. Nancy Edwards, professor and head of the Purdue University School of Nursing, who has always shown interest in analyzing humans' behavior around animals, explained, "Even in individuals who have severe dementia, they’re wanting to interact with animals — it has an impact that goes beyond dementia. Someone could be very confused, but if you put them in a tranquil environment or give them an animal, they still interact. Our interaction with nature never goes away. I tend to use the animals, but people also use aviaries or walking in the woods, things like that."
Meanwhile, reacting to the sweet video, @tamelafreeman72 commented, "Speaking from my own experience, I truly believe cats have special healing powers. This little video made my heart smile." Similarly, @lynzilla_san shared, "I have taken my cuddly foster kittens to care homes and once had a similar situation. You know what she said? 'I wish it was a puppy. 'Guess what? Found her a puppy, and she was in heaven." @lmkpdx commented, "This really hits home. I spent this afternoon with a friend who is quickly declining, and I think she’s just living for her cat." @tnmng00 shared, "Look at sweet Almond. She is a living angel. Animal therapy is so potent for dementia-afflicted patients. You guys are doing God's work."
You can follow @almondandcashie on Instagram for more such cat-related content.
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