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Aquarium Fish for Elderly
Although not essential, aquarium fish for elderly loved ones might be a welcome addition to your home and provide needed comfort.
One may think that the elderly are only needed to rest and have a day, although that is not the case; the elderly body needs as much balance as a younger body needs, although the environment and intensity may defer due to aging issues.
People have been researching how to keep our elderly’ health checked and how to make them move around more. In this case, the science and psychology merged their concepts and realized the elderly were once young. They grew older and sustained themselves through tough times and responsibilities. At this stage, when they are least expected to do anything near taking responsibilities, they are basically entirely accustomed to the duties and handle them quite easily due to their experience. It’s just their body that lacks energy, which is why the idea of whether they are capable of keeping a pet to lift their spirits and increase some activity while taking care of their loved pet is under consideration.
After a deep thought, we must say that a beautiful aquarium might not be a bad idea. Rather it might be just the perfect one.
So, what exactly are the benefits of having a fish aquarium for our elderly? Observing the elderly and their response toward owning an aquarium might be a good choice for our loved one. The following are the main benefits of having an aquarium for the elderly:
Soothing Effects
According to multiple medical and psychological research, an aquarium’s typical characteristics can seem to have a calming effect on our loved ones. The soothing elements of an aquarium are:
- The sound of the aquarium.
- Motion patterns within the aquarium.
- Colors of the fish tank.
All the above characteristics end up making the setup cozy and comforting for the elderly, although there are also other effects of the aquarium, which are:
- Aquarium reduces anxiety.
- Aquarium also reduces stress.
- Aquarium helps in lowering the blood pressure of the body.
- Aquarium help reduces muscle tension
A recent US study shows that older adults, especially patients of Alzheimer’s, can have considerable health benefits in the presence of an aquarium. The benefits are mainly behavioral as an aquarium’s presence gives off a feeling of peace and serenity. The behavioral benefits are:
- More food consumption.
- Less intact of medication is needed to calm the body system
- The elderly seem calmer, which eventually decreasing hostile behavior.
Supports Good Memory
Older people are prone to have parenting instincts, due to which they care a lot about their pets and also make sure they are well fed. This notion makes up a routine for the elderly since they need to feed the fishes at a particular time—the practice trains the brain to remember things frequently and improve their concentration levels. At the same time, it significantly lowers the risk of having dementia.
Provides a Sense of Responsibility
Older adults don’t have much responsibility at that stage, due to which they lose their sense of value within themselves, which is why installing an aquarium is an excellent option to redeem that the idea that a living creatures’ life solely depends on them and how they treat it and that the survival entirely depends on them. Having the fishing to take care of gives off a sense of duty and goals they have been missing from their life, which can reduce the chance of depression and make them feel loved and not lonely.
Company
Many young people tend to prefer dogs and cats as pets as they are active, fun-loving, and full of like just like them. However, it is said that humans want a pet that can mirror their lifestyle; moreover, when you are old, you want a company just like you, calm and peace-loving and cats dogs are more active than fishes and need a lot of care that older adults can’t provide it. Fishes seem to be the perfect companion for the elderly.
Why? Because it is calm and does not require extra care while having not much food cost etc. Aquariums are very accessible as they come in all shapes and sizes, so whatever space you have either it’s big or small you can probably buy them if you don’t want the normal ones, and want something more efficient and personal, customized fish tanks are also available in the market. There are no medical issues regarding fishes as compared to dog and fur allergies and sheading.
Plus, the fishes are easy to maintain and don’t require day-to-day maintenance. Only weekly cleaning is needed, and since they are easy to have as a pet, this makes fish aquariums the best pet for elderly people with feeling overwhelmed.
How to Set Up an Aquarium?
following are an essential thing to know and step to assemble an Aquarium:
- 1. Don’t use any regular soap. They can be toxic for the fish
- 2. Wash the gravel first.
- 3. Put the plastic pan inside and put water inside it.
- 4. Repeat the rinsing process till the tank seems clean
- 5. Set up the temperature of the tank
- 6. Keep the gravel in the spot
- 7. Add conditioner (aqua solution)
- 8. Connect the air pump
- 9. Keep a check of safety while you are at it.
- 10. There is a small valve there; place that in the tubing outside the tank.
How to Decorate an Aquarium?
- Add plastic plants and succulents for decoration to the tank.
- Add decorative pieces like stones and boats.
- You can buy customized and colorful fish tanks for magnifying the appeal of the aquarium.
Keeping fishes as a pet can bring joy and love to your loved ones’ lives, positively affect their health, and provide a soothing and cozy feel to their home. These pets help them feel cherished and not lonely. So, what are you waiting for? If you have your elderly around you, show your love, and get them an aquarium? This little gesture could be a perfect gift for the elderly as well as a new decoration piece for their home.