The phenomenology of elderly pet ownership: Partners in survival

Individuals of any age depend upon their ties with 'significant others'. These connections, particularly within the orbit of the informal social support system, 'kith and kin', provide for a whole range of emotional and instrumental needs. For the elderly, the maintenance of ties enhances feelings of self-worth and social integration. At a time when society is discovering the inadequacy of services to the elderly due to such factors as: the high cost of health care, federal deficits that have led to formal service cutbacks to the elderly, along with the ever-growing population of elderly persons; it behooves social scientists to rediscover the important role of the elderly's informal social support system--family, friends, neighbors, and pets etc. Strengthening the informal social support system is seen as a key method for avoiding undue debilitation and premature institutionalization of the elderly (Biegel, Shore & Gordon, 1984). To look at what the pet means, as a member of this informal social support system, necessitates peering through the 'looking glass' into the social world of the elderly pet-owner.

In an effort to understand the relationship between the elderly and their pets, interviews in conjunction with participant-observation were conducted with six elderly women (i.e., over the age of 65). They meet certain criteria: they live alone with a pet; they express to 'outsiders' an attachment to and affection for a pet; and they have a prior history with a pet.

The women were contacted with the help of the public relations office of the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This office coordinates a veterinarian-subsidy program for senior citizens' pets. The informants were told that they had been suggested for the study because it was believed that they have a positive relationship with their pet.

The data from the interviews was analyzed by devising a coding system according to emerging themes based on field notes and memos. Inductive theory-building proceded along with data collection and analysis.

The major findings of the study were: (1) The pet is an integral part of who the informants are. (2) Pet-owning can enhance or detract from relationships with other human beings. (3) The pet is a "significant other" in the daily lives of the informants.