Are pets allowed to come along when their senior owners move into an assisted living facility or retirement community?
For many seniors, the luxury of having family and friends nearby doesn’t exist, especially as they age. For many, their main companion is their pet. Over half (55%) of seniors aged 50 to 80 have at least one pet. In addition, one in ten (10%) of older adults brought home a new pet during the pandemic.
 |
| In this blog post, our senior care management company breaks down the pros and cons of pet-friendly senior living. |
However, what happens when someone is no longer able to age in the place that provided spaces for those relationships to be nurtured?
What happens when one’s significant other passes away or must spend the rest of their days in a nursing home or assisted living facility?
What happens to one’s pet when they are no longer able to live independently?
There are many reasons seniors with pets should have the option to bring along their furry friend with them when they move into an assisted living facility or retirement community.
Some benefits of allowing pets in senior living communities include:
Emotional support: A resident’s mental and emotional security can remain steady throughout the transition and adjustment of being relocated to a new living space.
Physical health: The resident may be able to retain many of their physical abilities since having a pet often gives a person a sense of purpose to care for someone other than themselves. This often results in seniors continuing to be active.
Socialization: Pets provide a social interaction initiative and security. Someone may be more willing to strike up a conversation with someone who has a pet with them. An animal can provide common ground and perhaps even bring joy to someone who has lost their pet.
Happiness: Many studies have proven that pets provide true happiness and fill the void of needing something to nurture or care for. Some people prefer plants, others prefer animals.
Reduce stress: Along with providing happiness, there have also been studies that prove pets can reduce stress and other physiological ailments such as high blood pressure.
Though there are many benefits to inviting seniors with pets to bring them along when they need additional care, there are also reasons why a senior care facility would be cautious of doing so such as:
Tripping hazard: Some seniors have vision and/or balance impairments. When a pet is underfoot, they could inadvertently cause harm. There are some ways to prevent this though, such as placing a bell on the animal’s collar to know where they are.
Cost of care: Nearly one in five (18%) seniors said having a pet puts a strain on their budget. Oftentimes, residents are already financially burdened with the cost of living in facilities, and their animals' costs could make it impossible to live comfortably.
Cleanliness: As a person ages, their ability to care for their living space with the animal could start to wane. The responsibility of caring for a pet could be overwhelming to the pet owner.
When it comes to their pets, many people consider them to be the only family they have, making it difficult to separate from them. When senior care facilities can accommodate a pet, the benefits and joys could greatly affect many other people than just the pet owner themselves.
About Sympaticare, a Senior Care Management Company
At Sympaticare, we care for those who care for others. Our senior care management and consulting agency is deeply committed to our elderly community and the professionals who care for them. Whether well-established senior care operations or a start-up elder care facility, we work closely with fellow or aspiring owners/operators of elder-care facilities across New York state. Sympaticare is here to help you with the tools and resources you need to establish and maintain thriving senior care facilities.
Ready to get started on your new journey with Sympaticare? Contact us today!