Over half of all adults over 50 have at least one pet. Pet ownership can help with things like anxiety and depression, and improve a person's overall quality of life. Some animals are also trained to help those with medical issues, such as low blood pressure.
As such, it's important to find pet-friendly facilities for your senior loved ones. While these senior living communities are somewhat rarer to find, they're worth it in the long run.
Here are seven pet-friendly senior living amenities you'll want to keep an eye out for.
One of the most important things to look for in your senior housing options is a spacious apartment that is appropriate for your pet.
The perfect home should have plenty of space for your pet to run around and find areas they feel most comfortable. They shouldn't feel cramped, and this extra space becomes more important if you own a larger pet.
In addition, you'll want an apartment with pet-friendly features such as durable flooring and built-in pet doors. It's even better if the flooring is something like tile, which is easier to clean than carpet.
A smaller apartment is only acceptable if there are plenty of outdoor spaces for your pet to run around to make up for the smaller indoor area.
An issue for senior living with pets is that they may struggle to care for them the way that they should. If they have difficulty going for walks, then that means a dog will have limited outdoor time. Struggling to bathe their pet could mean them going too long without proper grooming.
On-site pet services allow professionals to give these pets the attention they need. This allows seniors to have the companionship they want while the pets get the kind of attention they require to live long and healthy lives.
At the very least, there should be routine visits for health checkups and grooming. The senior community may also arrange for transportation to a local veterinary clinic.
If a resident does not own a cat or dog, they can always interact with animals through pet therapy programs. These programs involve bringing in therapy animals to interact with residents.
In most cases, these animals are well-trained and very friendly. Spending some time with them can help senior residents reduce their stress and anxiety. It can also help to negate the link between memory loss and depression, which is an issue for seniors.
They may begin to feel some kinship with the animals and desire one for themselves.
Just as important as roomy apartments are large outdoor spaces. This is especially important if a resident owns a younger dog that likes to run around.
An outdoor yard provides a space for a pet to burn off energy, play around with outside toys, and relieve themselves. It's even better if the dog can run inside of a fenced-in area without any risk of trying to go out into the street.
If a senior community does provide outdoor spaces, it's important that the residents keep them as clean as possible. That means picking up after their dog and making sure their pet doesn't dig up any holes. The community owners should use some kind of natural pesticide in the yard to prevent fleas and ticks.
Some residents may not consider it enough to have pets without any other kind of arranged social interaction. It's completely possible to have multiple cats and still feel lonely.
The best way to counteract that is by providing pet-friendly social events, such as pet parades, costume contests, and meet-and-greets. These give the residents something to work towards as well as allow them to socialize with one another.
Even something as simple as going for a stroll becomes much more enjoyable when done with other pet owners. Doggy playdates are also a fun way for residents to let their furry loved ones meet other pets.
As previously mentioned, pet health is of the utmost importance for owners. It's all too easy for a senior resident to neglect their pet's health due to things like lack of transportation or awareness regarding their medical needs.
It helps if one of the many amenities for seniors includes pet health and wellness programs. This could take the form of regular vet visits to the community or arranged transportation to the veterinary office.
However, visits to the vet may prove difficult for residents who suffer from severe mobility issues or dementia. In these cases, they'll transport the pets to be returned later in the day or week. This also frees up time for the resident to care for their other pets.
The transition to a senior home isn't always a pleasant one. Many residents may resent the fact that they have to leave the comfort of their homes to live in assisted living.
One way to ease this transition is with the help of pet welcome packages. These may include items such as food, toys, and bedding to help their pets feel more comfortable. The hope is that a comfortable pet won't whine or bark at strange noises in the middle of the night.
Pet support groups can also help by connecting pet owners with one another. They can share experiences, tips, and support. This is especially helpful if a resident hasn't cared for a pet before.
As a pet owner, it's important to find a community that comes with pet-friendly senior living amenities. Residents should feel comfortable and happy, and that's not possible if their furry friend is trapped like a prisoner. The ideal community should take both residents and their pets into consideration.
Addington Place of Sparta provides both assisted living and memory care floor plans for our residents. Our communities feature senior fitness programming, in-room dining, personal care, weekly housekeeping, and more.
Contact us today to learn more and to schedule a visit to our community.