Pet-friendly Assisted Living for Seniors

It’s never easy for someone to move into an assisted living community. For seniors with beloved pets, the thought of surrendering their furry companions can make the move that much harder.

What if that didn’t have to happen, though?

Many older adults do not have to give up their furry friends if they move into pet-friendly senior living communities.

Benefits of Pets in Assisted Living

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

There are plenty of reasons to choose a senior care facility that is pet friendly, including the following.

Reduces Relocation Stress and Boosts Mental Health

Pet-friendly assisted living options are great for senior residents’ mental health. For starters, residents will not have to worry about losing their furry companions, which can ease the transition of moving into nursing homes or other retirement communities.

But pets can do more than making the move-in process less stressful; they can make the stay more enjoyable, too. Research associates pets with self-reported (i.e., subjective) positive feelings and they may even reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults.

Reduces Aggression in Dementia Patients

For dementia patients (such as those with Alzheimer’s disease), animal-assisted therapy may increase positive social behavior and reduce aggressive tendencies.

Improves Physical Health

There may also be physical benefits, like lower blood pressure, for senior pet owners. All in all, there are plenty of evidence-backed reasons for choosing a senior living community that’s welcoming not just for your loved ones, but Fido as well.

Non Pet Ownership Benefits

Have you ever noticed how most memory care centers have aquariums or small aviaries? There is a reason for that!

Researchers have found that the presence of fish, for example, may help quell aggression in dementia patients and even improve their eating habits. Evidence also suggests that the presence of birds—specifically birdsong—and other natural noises and sights can help reduce dementia-related aggression.

So, even if your loved one does not have their own pet or cannot bring theirs with them, they may still be able to reap the physical and mental benefits of having animals nearby if their new senior housing incorporates aviaries or aquariums into their layouts.

Health Benefits at a Glance

Benefits of pet ownership or animal-assisted therapy for seniors includes the following:

  • Sense of purpose for seniors with animal companions
  • Increase in self-reported positive feelings
  • Increased social interaction and positive social behavior for dementia patients
  • Improved eating habits for dementia patients
  • May lower risk of high cholesterol and high blood pressure

Pet Therapy

In addition to allowing pet ownership, many senior living communities also offer pet therapy programs. These programs are designed to help participants reach certain physical and mental health goals.

It’s important for family members to verify that the program itself is safe. This means that the therapy animals should be vaccinated as well as properly trained and certified as therapy animals. Additionally, staff members should have training to properly handle the animals.

Meet the Requirements

Not every senior care location allows animals, and pet policies vary depending on the exact location. That said, the following are typical pet policy guidelines:

  • No exotic pets, like birds or reptiles
  • No exceeding a set weight limit, usually no more than 15 to 20 pounds
  • Restrictions on dog breeds like pit bulls
  • Owners might need to declare a designated pet owner in case the resident is no longer able to care for the pet
  • Provide vaccination records
  • Limit on the number of pets someone can bring

Factors to Keep in Mind

You’ve checked that the facility itself is safe. Now, keep the following in mind when deciding if your loved one would best thrive at a pet-friendly senior housing.

Back-up Care Plan

Fido’s well-being is a factor you can’t ignore, even if you’re prioritizing your loved one. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What happens to the animal if your aging relative is no longer able to provide the necessary care Fido needs?
  • Will the animal move in with a relative?
  • Will it be surrendered to an adoption center?

Most senior care locations require residents to sign a document that outlines who takes custody of the animal in these situations, so it’s important to start thinking about these scenarios now.

Pet Temperament

If a facility is pet-friendly, odds are likely that more people than just your loved one will have a furry friend with them. That’s why it’s important to consider how well-behaved the pet is. If the animal is perfectly nice to your loved one but fights other animals nearby, your loved one’s pet might not be a good fit for such a community.

Fees

Pets aren’t cheap. Besides food, grooming, and veterinary care, you also have to factor in pet deposits and monthly pet fees into your loved one’s budget.

Other Considerations

The following are important questions to ask of any pet-friendly assisted living facility:

  • Can the pet get the required exercise it needs? For example, can your loved one’s dog get its walks in?
  • Is there a one-time pet deposit or are there ongoing monthly fees? Are they within your loved one’s budget?
  • Is there a pet care service offered at the facility? If so, what services are offered (e.g., grooming and veterinary care) and for how much extra?
  • Are only cats and small dogs allowed?
  • What other sort of pet policies are in place at your loved one’s facility?

Find Pet-friendly Assisted Living Communities Near You

Making the decision to move a loved one into a senior living facility is never easy; we know this. That’s why we want to make the whole process just a little bit easier. Our database is full of thousands of independent living, assisted living, and memory care facilities across the United States, which makes it easy to find senior care locations—including pet-friendly senior living communities—near your loved one today.