Consider a gift for seniors that studies show can lower cholesterol levels, reduce bone loss, improve circulation, decrease stress – even help them live longer. But you won’t find this present in a pill bottle. Instead, you’ll find it scurrying along on the end of a leash or curled up and purring on your lap. Research shows that pets not only provide companionship, but can improve seniors’ health, too.

“Pets are great companions for seniors and could make a great holiday gift,” said Fran Fox owner of Home Instead Senior Care in Somers Point, serving Atlantic and Cape May Counties. “Research shows that animals can become valuable friends, improving health and psychological wellbeing.”

The benefits of pet ownership are significant and varied, according to Kelly Connolly, Issues Specialist for Companion Animals with The Humane Society of the United States.” Having a pet in someone’s life has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce bone loss, improve circulation and increase levels of exercise,” she said. “In one compelling study, it was even shown that owning a pet increased the chances of survival in some patients who suffered a heart attack.” A St. Louis study released in2006 revealed that pets can have more of an impact than people. It found that nursing home residents felt much less lonely after spending time alone with a dog than when other people joined in the visit.

“Psychologically, pets have been known to decrease stress and increase mental activity,” said Connolly. “Emotionally, pets increase feelings of wellbeing and hope, and ease feelings of loneliness.”

However, several factors must be considered before purchasing pets for senior loved ones or allowing them to keep a longtime pet, according to Fox.

“Issues of aging such as physical limitations and mobility problems can make it difficult for some seniors to complete pet care tasks such as walking a dog, taking an animal to the vet and purchasing necessary food and supplies,” she said. But there’s an easy fix, according to Fox. Find trusted neighbors, friends, family members or professional caregivers to pitching.

“When one of our clients has a pet, our caregivers help take care of it, too,” said Fox. “The fact that animals are so much a part of seniors’ lives that they don’t want to give them up is good news.”

Make sure that the pet is good fit, however, she said, “and finding a mature, house trained animal is best. Never surprise a senior with a pet.”

Even if seniors aren’t able town their own pets, they can still reap many of the benefits by visiting a pet store or a care community or church that has an animal visitation program, said Fox.

“Pets can be a valuable part of seniors’ lives,” she said, “but the decision to buy animal fora senior should involve careful thought, research and planning.” For more information about pet care visit The Humane Society of the United States at www.humansociety.org. For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, log on to www.homeinstead.com