Daily Mobility and Social Interactions Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Pet Dogs: A Scoping Review

Dogs are part of many people's lives and are involved in interventions to improve the well-being of older adults in institutional settings. However, the literature on the impact of pet dogs on community-dwelling older adults is still relatively limited. This study mapped the impact of having a companion dog on the daily mobility and social interactions of community-dwelling older adults using a scoping review. Electronic databases were searched, and studies written in English, Portuguese, and Spanish that were published in a peer-reviewed journal were identified. After a careful review, 26 eligible studies were identified, and relevant findings were extracted. The main findings indicated that having a dog may promote or hinder daily mobility and social interactions and that having a dog is about routines and sharing affection. More research is needed to clarify what makes having a companion dog key to promoting active and healthy aging.

Automated summary

This study conducted a scoping review to explore the impact of having a companion dog on the daily mobility and social interactions of community-dwelling older adults. The findings suggest that having a dog can both promote and hinder daily activities and social interactions, and it is also associated with routines and sharing affection. Further research is needed to identify the key factors that make having a pet dog important for promoting active and healthy aging.