Many of us have heard the benefits of animal-human bonding. Animal human bonding refers to the use of pets such as dogs, cats, and birds to improve the quality of life. It has become an activity trend in schools, nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities across the country. Animal human bonding has been utilized to promote well being and healing among senior patients. Fish can now be added to the list of creatures which are being used for animal human bonding purposes. Fish gazing is a popular activity which is spreading like wildfire among assisted living places. Fish gazing has been a crucial factor that has helped reduce depression and lowering heart rates among senior and elderly citizens.
A study on fish gazing was done to monitor the effects of elder stress after watching aquariums. The study involved presentations of fish videos and viewing live aquariums to groups of elderly people with a median age of 75 years. The fish aquarium was a landscaped ten-gallon tank stocked with nine fish that included 2 black Mollies, 2 red Wag Swordtails, 2 gold Wag Moons, 2 pineapple swordtails and 1 catfish. The fish videotape showed exclusive close up shots of an assortment of colorful tropical fish in an aquarium. The audio portion of the videotape was enhanced by the sound of a stream trickling over rocks. The sound coordinated with such visuals significantly improved the conditions of the senior participants.
Evaluations revealed an overall sentiment that fish gazing was a beneficial and enjoyable activity for seniors. Illustrative of this were comments such as, "I was totally relaxed while watching the fish," and "I forgot about my problems while watching the fish. Even after the study was over many of the senior citizens and their friends continued to observe the fish and visited the live aquarium on a daily basis. The experience of fish gazing had a positive impact on the senior participant's stress level, pulse rate, skin temperature and muscle tension. Because of the health benefits of fish gazing, more senior assisted living homes are incorporating aquariums within their facilities. Assisted community living centers are always finding the latest activities to incorporate into their curriculum in order to promote healing and well being amongst their senior patients. Fish gazing is just one of the many therapeutic activities seniors enjoy at assisted adult living homes. They do everything possible to make sure senior patients live in comfort and leisure with some of the best doctors and physicians to handle their medical conditions and health problems. Assisted living facilities are places for seniors to spend their golden years in bliss. If you feel concerned about your senior loved ones it may be time to find an assisted living facility in your area.
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