Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes
Have you noticed the growing number of nursing homes adding fish tanks in their lobbies, dining rooms, and other communal areas?
There are several reasons why nursing homes have fish tanks, like relaxation, interaction, and improved sleep.
In this blog, we focus on one surprising benefit: Observing a fish tank can increase food consumption and nutritional intake.
How does this happen? And how can you experience this in your nursing home?
Let’s find out.
Purdue Study on Aquarium Fish and Nutritional Intake
In 1999, Nancy Edwards, a nursing professor at Purdue University, was researching ways to soothe the symptoms of Alzheimer’s patients.
After adding a fish tank to 3 Alzheimer’s units, she found that patients felt more relaxed and alert when around it.
The other surprising stat?
Edwards said, “They ate up to 21% more food than they had before the introduction of the fish tanks.“
Wouldn’t a distraction cause less food consumption? The data says otherwise, and here’s why.
How a Fish Tank Increases Nutritional Intake
Attraction and Entertainment
Think of a time you were eating dinner with friends or family while engaged in conversation.
Before you knew it, your meal was almost gone, and you didn’t even realize it.
And all it took was your divided attention.
Similarly, this may encourage people with Alzheimer’s to increase their nutritional intake.
Even if communication skills have weakened, observing the gentle movements of colorful fish has been shown to stimulate the mind, capture attention, calm the body, and improve eating habits.
Stress Reduction
Everyone experiences stress differently.
Some people lose their appetites, while others eat more.
Regardless of the stress response, lower levels can positively impact eating habits.
For instance, watching fish swim in a tank has been shown to reduce stress levels, helping patients feel calmer at the dinner table.
Distraction from Eating Difficulties
The best way to alleviate physical and cognitive impairments is through activities that engage the mind and senses.
You’ll need something passive yet engaging to help with eating, and observing a fish tank can be that activity.
By focusing on stimuli like the unhurried fish, the sound of the humming filter, and the sight of the deep blue water, Alzheimer’s patients can feel more “in the moment”, which often reduces behaviors that may have kept them from eating before.
Experience a Soothing Fish Tank in Your Dining Room
Serenity USA has been offering peaceful experiences through aquariums and fish for over a decade.
Our sister company, Custom Aquariums, handcrafts all of our fish tanks, while at Serenity, we clean and maintain them for our clients.
This means you get a world-class aquarium without the hassle.
We work exclusively in the B2B space, and we service more nursing home fish tanks than anyone in the USA!
Conclusion
Nancy Edward’s study sparked discussion about how these passive activities affect individuals with declining mental and physical health.
While research on fish tanks in memory care remains limited, previous studies have shown they offer more benefits than meets the eye.
