How Pets Enhance Life in Senior Living
There's no sweeter feeling than getting in bed and feeling your pup snuggle up with you and heave a contented sigh as it drifts off to sleep. With sweet experiences like this, it's no surprise that over 44% of US households have dogs and 26% have cats.
Many people believe that they have to give up their beloved pets when they move into senior communities. The truth is that many communities permit them and even have pet-friendly senior living amenities. Read on to learn why pets are a great idea for folks living in senior living communities!
Create a Routine
Many look forward to retirement because they can set their own schedule. However, many find themselves feeling driftless when they don't have things like work to keep them on schedule.
Pets help counter this feeling by demanding that their owners stick to the schedule they know and love. Dogs need to go out at regular intervals, and cats demand to be fed on time, every time. Drifting into a night owl schedule is not a risk when you know you have to get up at 7 am to let them out.
Emotional Support
If you feel like your pets help keep you healthy and happy, that's because they do! Research shows that pets help seniors feel less isolated when they're living on their own in pet-friendly retirement communities. Pets are constant companions that love unconditionally and give their owners a sense of purpose.
Note that there's a difference between receiving emotional comfort and support from a pet and having an emotional support animal (ESA). ESAs are prescribed by therapists and other healthcare providers to provide emotional support for people suffering from anxiety and depression, among other things.
If you have a doctor's note for an ESA, you may not have to pay pet deposits or pet rent. Instead, familiarize yourself with pet accommodations in senior housing when you're ready to request your reasonable accommodation.
Social Benefits
One of the best things about senior living with pets is that you get to show off your pet to the rest of the community. One minute you're out walking Fido, and the next you're standing amongst other residents discussing what it's like to be a dog owner in today's society.
In turn, these interactions give seniors a greater sense of community. Further, they help encourage seniors to get out and get to know neighbors with whom they would not have otherwise connected. This benefit is so great that you might want to add it to the positive side of your decision criteria when selecting a new home.
Get Active
We all know and love this rule of thumb, but as it turns out, it is an extremely great way to help you and your loved ones get out and get active. Pets typically need to go outside three to four times per day, and with that demand comes an increased amount of time on your feet.
Exercise over the age of 60 helps with many common ailments suffered by the elderly, including:
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Mood
- High blood pressure
- Risk of heart disease
If you're concerned that you or your loved one may not be up for getting out for walks every day, you still have options. Consider hiring a dog walker if dogs are what you feel closest to. If not, cats, birds, or even smaller pets like guinea pigs may be a great alternative.
Potential Improved Health Outcomes
It is not simply the exercise you get from walking a pet that gives you a health boost. Research shows that the bond itself leads to better health outcomes. Recent studies have found that pet ownership is linked to the following health benefits:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Improved signs of anxiety and PTSD
- Better cognitive functioning
- Reduced risk of heart disease
Stress Relief
Stress and mental health issues don't stop once you retire. Many people find that the stressors of aging are more than they can handle on their own. Having a pet in your home serves as more than just a companion; they're a source of stress relief.
Go for a quick jog with your dog when you're frustrated. If you're struggling with anxiety, spend some time focusing on the way your pet feels when you pet them to take your mind off of it. Talk about your concerns when you're having a hard time connecting with other people.
The stress relief opportunities are truly limitless.
Increased Security
Living on your own is a concerning prospect, especially for people who haven't done it in the past. If you want to take extra precautions, then getting a pet can help you feel more secure.
Dogs and even some cats and birds make for great alarm systems. If someone is at the door, they'll let you know about it. Knowing this allows more seniors to sleep more soundly at night.
Making Use of Pet-Friendly Senior Living Amenities
Many senior living communities have specialized amenities for seniors with pets.
The services are available for all eligible tenants, so don't let them go to waste! For example, they may provide supplies to clean up after your dog when you walk them and easy disposal stations. Others can help you get to local parks to spend time with your pet or connect you with reputable pet sitters and dog walkers.
It's important to note that not all communities allow pets in every single apartment. Many have limitations on dog breeds, number of pets, and pet weights. Be sure to check your senior living pet policies before you head to the shelter!
Are You Ready for a Pet?
The increased importance of pets in the lives of Americans has made pet-friendly retirement communities a reality. Not only do you get to enjoy the benefits of having a pet, but there are many pet-friendly senior living amenities to take advantage of. If you've been on the fence about making the move, now's the time to do it!
Are you looking for a vibrant senior living community that's packed with amenities? Addington Place of Mount Pleasant has no shortage of amenities that help residents live happy, independent lives in their golden years. Contact us today to more about what we have to offer!