Vårdhundens påverkan på livskvaliteten hos den äldre människan : en analys av kvalitativa studier

Sammanfattning: Background: In an ever-changing society with inadequate resources, the elderly are easily forgotten. Despite the risk of side-effect, pharmaceutical drugs are added to promote their quality of life. Instead of drugs as a first step, perhaps one can give man's best friend a chance. Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate the therapy dog’s impact on the quality of life of the elderly person. Method: This study was a qualitative literature-based study with an inductive approach, using a qualitative content analysis of the results from eight qualitative scientific articles. Result: The study resulted in three themes and eight sub-themes. The therapy-dog had a positive impact on the quality of life of the elderly person, both subjective and objective. The experience of well-being was created by the therapy-dog's influence to develop old memories, the feeling of harmony, and a break from everyday life. New opportunities were created when the care dog motivated the elderly to dare to open up, activate, and seek new relationships. Conclusion: The result shows that the meetings with the therapy-dog had positive impacts on several fronts of the elderly. What counts as beneficial impacts is subjective as well as relative. Contrary to everything positive, negative impacts may also occur. Conclusions that can be deduced from this study’s result are that the therapy-dog as an implementation contributes positively to the elderly's quality of life. It should be noted, however, that this intervention is not for everyone as there are allergies, fears, negative impacts and general dislike towards dogs and that this has to be respected. Keywords: Elderly, animal assisted therapy, health, quality of life.