It’s well known that loneliness and isolation are linked to serious health problems in seniors. There are several ways to combat this including regular visits from friends and family, the joyful companionship of a dedicated caregiver or in some cases, pet ownership.
Seniors in retirement facilities often aren’t permitted to have pets, but those who live independently have the option to take on a cat, dog or other animal companion. Today, we’d like to discuss some of the benefits and challenges of pets for seniors. If you have any questions or would like to discuss homecare services for seniors in the Toronto area, please contact us.
Movement, routine and companionship
Pet ownership comes with responsibility and oftentimes, an increase in physical activity—particularly if it’s an animal that needs regular walking. This can be great as it encourages seniors to walk, play and move more often. There are also mental and emotional benefits to having a pet at home as you age. As Psychology Today stated,
“Research has shown having a pet has several benefits for older adults, including higher levels of physical activity which in turn may lead to better health…Pets can be protective against feelings of loneliness, provide emotional support, and give people something to talk about, perhaps a way to make friends or to chat to caregivers.”
In many cases, having a pet helps seniors maintain a daily routine, stay active, fight off loneliness and generally enjoy life. However, as this article also notes, pet ownership comes with challenges—particularly if caring for a pet is cost prohibitive, stressful or requires more work than they can manage. It’s also important to note that pets can be a tripping hazard if they get underfoot—knowing this, a calm, well-behaved dog or cat is ideal.
Make the decision that’s right for you
Some seniors will thrive with the daily routine and companionship that come along with pet ownership while others will find it burdensome, so it’s important to consider your aging loved one’s personal history and comfort level with animals, their physical abilities and their lifestyle before encouraging them to take on a furry friend. Not everyone wants a pet, but for those who do, it could be wonderful for their lifestyle and well-being.
If having a pet is right for your aging relative, be sure to have a care plan in place for the animal as well as your loved one—for example, a list of people who could look after the pet if your loved one was in hospital. In addition to supporting your loved one at home, our caregivers are able to provide some assistance by helping your loved one feed or walk their pet as needed. As always, we encourage you to reach out to our team for a personalized consultation and quote for homecare services in Toronto and the surrounding area. Thanks for reading, and please share this post with anyone who may find it helpful!