Groundbreaking research from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin has unveiled the profound impact of regular dog walking on the well-being of older adults. Published in the Journals of Gerontology, the study highlights that walking a dog at least four times a week is far more than a simple pastime—it’s a lifeline. Researchers discovered that this routine significantly enhances mobility, alleviates the fear of falling, and drastically reduces the chances of unexplained falls, offering a compelling case for the transformative power of this cherished companionship.
Existing research has given limited attention to the potential of dog walking to mitigate falls and mobility issues in later life. This study investigated whether regular dog walking was associated with a reduced risk of falls, fear of falling, and mobility problems in a large group of older adults living in the community.
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Falls are a leading cause of hospital admissions for older individuals and the most common cause of accidental death in this population. They are strongly linked to fractures, particularly hip fractures, which can lead to loss of independence, increased healthcare utilization, nursing home admission, and higher mortality rates.
TILDA data shows that around 30% of people in Ireland aged 70+ fall annually, and 1 in 8 present to an emergency department with a fall each year. With increased longevity, the number of older people presenting with falls will increase considerably over coming decades. It is imperative then that we identify strategies that reduce the risk of falls and can be employed at a population-level.
Professor Robert Briggs, Consultant Geriatrician, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College, and co-author, said, “This study demonstrates the potential benefits that regular dog walking can confer on older people. Regular dog walkers had significantly better mobility, reduced likelihood of falls and were less likely to develop fear of falling. While this may be partly due to increased physical activity, it is also likely that increased social interaction, companionship and purpose derived from having a dog also plays an important role. We see how important pets are in the lives of older people we encounter both in St James’s Hospital and the TILDA study and it is therefore heartening to see the benefits borne out in this study.”
Lead author Dr Eleanor Gallagher, Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine (formally Trinity College Dublin, now Letterkenny Hospital), said, “Our findings highlight the value of regular dog walking as a simple and accessible activity that not only improves physical health but also has benefits for mental well-being and confidence among older adults.”
