Abstract
The aging population has been growing over the years, leading to the need to create environments that contribute to healthy aging. With the increasing value placed on pets in society, it is expected that a growing number of elderly individuals will own a pet. Living with pets brings physical, psychological, and cognitive benefits to the elderly and may indirectly contribute to cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve can be understood as a set of cognitive resources that an individual can acquire over their lifetime, potentially delaying declines caused by healthy aging, brain damage from dementia, and slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, dog ownership is more frequently associated with these benefits. Elderly individuals who own dogs have fewer chronic diseases and greater functional capacity, and dogs seem to encourage the elderly to engage in the habit of walking. This association may be due to the dog walking. Therefore, it is crucial to include accessible squares, parks, and sidewalks in urban planning, allowing the elderly to enjoy walks with their dogs. Thus, the aim of this study is to propose spaces that facilitate dog walking, promoting social interactions and contributing to a more inclusive and healthy aging process, prolonging the autonomy and independence of the elderly.
Presenters
Nathalia AlbuquerqueStudent, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul/ UCV- Doctoral School, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Carmen Moret-Tatay
Professor, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain Tatiana Quarti Irigaray
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design
KEYWORDS
HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTION, COGNITIVE RESERVE, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
