Navigating Pet-Friendly Independent Living Options

Close to half of American households have dogs, and more than a quarter have cats. Young and old people alike enjoy the companionship a pet brings to their lives. Many keep pets into old age.

When transitioning to an assisted living community, you or your loved one may wonder about pets for the elderly residents. Do assisted living communities allow pets? What restrictions or guidelines ensure a safe space for elders and seniors alike?

If the thought of living without a pet has you or a loved one anxious, keep reading. We'll go over some of the best pets for seniors and how to maintain companionship in old age.

Benefits of Pets for the Elderly

Pets provide companionship for seniors as well as countless other benefits. Having a pet helps keep seniors active and sharp as aging makes these more difficult.

Physical Health

Pets that require regular physical activity, such as dogs, help keep seniors fit. Walks and playtime help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. These types of pets also provide opportunities to leave the house, encouraging seniors to get sunlight and Vitamin D.

Social Health

Many seniors face loneliness and social difficulties. Moving to a new community requires building new connections, and many of an elder's friends may enter other communities or pass on.

A pet can help alleviate the loneliness that challenges seniors. Pets can also provide an opportunity to socialize. Friends and other residents will often enjoy the presence of a well-mannered dog or cat, and watching fish or hamsters swim and play can provide shared entertainment.

Health Concerns

Not all aspects of having pets suit senior life. Those 65 and older face an increased risk of zoonotic diseases, which originate in animals and before reaching humans. A pet can appear healthy and still transmit such a disease.

When you research a senior living community, take some time to look into sanitation and disease prevention. Preventive measures like bathing assistance and regular hand-washing can reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission among seniors.

Assisted Living Pet Policies

Many assisted living communities allow residents to bring their pets along with them. Not all provide such a guarantee, though, so before you or your loved one choose a community, spend some time researching pet policies.

Most of the time, a senior living community will conduct a pet assessment as part of the application process. This assessment will look at whether the resident can take care of the pet and whether the pet could harm the owner or other residents. If the pet passes the assessment, the new resident can bring the pet along during the move.

Ideal Pet Mammals

Choosing ideal senior pets requires consideration of the elder's needs. Aging can come with many difficulties, and a pet that asks something of a senior citizen that he or she can't give makes a poor companion. No two seniors have the same needs, and thus no two seniors have the same ideal pet.

Dogs

For seniors who remain fit, a dog can make a wonderful companion. Humanity domesticated the dog more than 10,000 years ago, and humans and dogs remain steadfast companions.

As mentioned earlier, dogs encourage physical fitness and social connection. Dogs also demand a consistent schedule, which can help seniors maintain self-discipline. A dog will often expect a routine that includes walking and feeding at the same time every day, which can help structure senior life.

Some senior citizens get service dogs to help with daily tasks as well. A professional can train a service dog to perform various tasks, including medical alerts and some household activities.

Cats

For seniors who can't commit to the walking and playing needs of a dog but still want a furry friend around the house, cats make a great choice. Cats need enrichment and playtime, but you can entertain them with simple feathers or cat toys rather than walks outside.

While you might think the lack of daily walks means a cat can't offer the same routine a dog does, cats also form habits. If you feed your cat every 12 hours, the cat will let you know when you miss a scheduled feeding.

Small Rodents

Rodents and similar pets can help seniors who don't feel ready for a larger pet get their feet wet. A hamster or mouse enclosure takes up little space and makes it easy to care for the residents.

When you or your loved one chooses this route, avoid getting a breeding pair. Two mice can make for a happy senior apartment but might turn into two dozen mice faster than you'd hope.

Non-Mammal Pets

Not all seniors choose mammals for their senior pet companions. Consider these less orthodox pets as well before making a final decision.

Birds

Many seniors keep birds, such as parrots, parakeets, or cockatiels, as pets. While birds require daily care, they also offer some unique opportunities.

Some birds can learn some phrases of human language. This talent makes them great companions for bored or lonely seniors, as teaching a parrot how to speak can provide both stimulation and companionship.

Sea Life

Whether you or your loved one opt for typical sea creatures like fish or strange ones like pistol shrimp and garden eels, fish make good pets for an assisted living community. All they need is feeding and cleaning the tank on occasion.

These types of pets suit seniors with mobility issues well. Most of the things you do with fish and sea life work when done from a seated position or with a few steps, depending on the height of the tank.

Like many other pets, fish provide social opportunities. Seniors often enjoy watching the activities of the critters in the tank.

Independent Living Isn't Lonely Living

Many animals make good pets for the elderly. Looking at the specific medical and emotional needs you or your loved one face can help identify the pet that will work for you. Contact your prospective assisted living community to find out what pets they allow.

If you want a safe, friendly assisted living experience for yourself or your loved one, give us a look. Our team will help you navigate assisted living with pets. Call us today to discuss any issue you'd like.