4 Reasons We're Keeping the Fishtank

He doesn’t want friends, but he’s gonna get them.

A year and a half ago, we installed a fish tank in one of our buildings.  It was a supreme challenge finding fish that would last. Finally, one of our resident care givers brought in two fish that she had been raising at home and those lived happily in our tank for a year or so (pretty long time, for goldfish).  One of them finally passed away the other day, and we tried introducing two new fish. Fish are strangely territorial, and those two did not last long in the face of the mighty goldfish. I wondered if a fish tank was still worth it to maintain.  

Then I read some of this research by Nancy Edwards and Alan Beck from the Western Journal of Nursing Research.  The aquarium is here to stay, and here’s why:

1. Aquariums help persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (PWD’s) whether they’re wandering or lethargic.  So whether they have a tendency to get antsy, or if they need to be engaged, aquariums help subtly with both.

Individuals with a history of pacing and wandering sat for longer periods sat for longer periods observing the aquarium than prior to the addition of tanks. (Edwards and Beck, 2002).

Individuals who tended to be more lethargic were more attentive and awake in the presence of aquariums. (Edwards and Beck, 2002).

2.  Aquariums help residents eat more and eat better.  As a result of both changes in behavior, PWD’s increased their nutritional intake.

Individuals with a history of pacing and wandering sat for longer periods sat for longer periods observing the aquarium than prior to the addition of tanks.  This additional sitting led to increased nutritional intake (Edwards and Beck, 2002).

Individuals who tended to be more lethargic were more attentive and awake in the presence of aquariums, therefore they increased their nutritional intake (Edwards and Beck, 2002).

So not only did they receive the benefit of either becoming more soothed or more engaged, they also increased their nutritional quality.  Why does this matter?

3.  Improvements in nutrition = improvements in overall quality of life for PWD’s.  Increasing nutrition and making sure it comes from a better source all serve to make the dementia resident better.  

Increasing nutritional intake in individuals with Alzeimer’s Disease has numerous positive implications.   First the increase in intake can delay muscle wasting, which can delay functional dependence and loss of autonomy.  The increase in nutrition can help decrease the incidence of falls (which I mention in this blog on Sarcopenia and muscle frailty), prevent skin infections, decubitus ulcers, and sepsis (Edwards and Beck, 2002).

4.  That’s not even counting the other positivities that weren’t measured in the study because they chose to focus on changes to nutritional intake.  We haven’t even measured changes in emotional state or coordination.

Eating food provides a variety of textures and tastes which help to stimulate the sensory system. (Edwards and Beck, 2002).

The Aquarium facilitated interactions between the AD individual and visitors as a focus point for communication. (Edwards and Beck, 2002).

So we’re keeping the tank!  Now to find some friends for one cranky goldfish...

Sources Cited:

Edwards, N. and Beck, A. (2002). Animal Assisted Therapy and Nutrition in Alzheimer’s Disease.  Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6), 697 - 712.