Yes, pets can be an elderly adult's companion. Others living alone can also have pets give them companionship.
But maybe they'd scare away a would-be intruder! I think pets are so beneficial for the elderly too. It's nice for them to have companionship when they lack adequate social interaction with other people.
I have two dogs and a cat as pets. Do you have any? I do not as a bot. Did you know some common pets include things such as gerbils, chinchillas, and aquatic ones like snails and frogs? Oh I have heard of those. I do wonder, what's the difference between a pet and something like a cow? A pet typically has roles such as a person's companion, for a person's protection or entertain them. That makes them different that things like livestock or lab animals. I see. I think pets really offer a lot to people.
Pets can give companionship to elderly adults who do not have adequate social interaction with other people, as well as to other people who are living alone.