At this point, it’s no longer a secret that interacting with pets can be hugely beneficial for your loved ones’ mental, emotional, and physical health. This is why here at TerraBella Hillsborough, we’re not only a pet-friendly community, but we also actively encourage residents to own pets. However, owning pets come with many tasks and responsibilities, and should not be a decision that’s quickly made. You and your loved ones should have a discussion and do much research before committing to taking care of pets. To know more about our pet-friendly assisted living and what’s to come of being a pet owner, continue reading.
Risk and Possibilities
Before bringing along a pet to the assisted living community, it’s important to note that there are many risks and possibilities that might occur. Listed below are some common experiences faced by older adults:
- High Ownership Costs: Let’s face it. Pets are expensive. Whether it’s grooming and feeding needs or vet care, these responsibilities come with a high price and can quickly add up over time. As such, we recommend owning pets only if your loved ones are financially able to afford such expenses.
- Unable to Provide Adequate Care: Of course, your loved ones should be physically and mentally able to take care of their pets. Some pets like dogs require walks daily, so your loved ones should be able to head outdoors and partake in some physical activity.
- Potential Conflicts: Here at TerraBella Hillsborough, all pets can only be accepted into our community after a thorough check by us. This is to ensure that the pets are well-behaved and will not make much noise that can disrupt the peace in our community. However, that does not mean potential conflicts between neighbors will not arise. In unfortunate cases, pets can cause residents to argue with each other.
How to Choose a Pet
To choose the perfect pet for your loved ones, here are some considerations that can help you make a decision.
- Temperament and Physical Needs: Since your loved ones will be living among other residents in an assisted living community, their pets should not be too temperamental in order to maintain the serenity in the community. This is the considerate thing to do. In addition, if your loved ones are not as physically mobile or dislikes heading outdoors as much, they can look for pets that are indoor-inclined and do not require much exercise.
- Maintenance Needs: Some pets, especially dogs and cats, can shed a lot of their fur, causing your loved ones to spend much time, money, and effort to upkeep their appearance. As such, such pets may not be desirable to loved ones who are not able to devote the majority of their day to taking care of their pets. Popular low-maintenance pets for older adults include hamsters, rabbits, and certain breeds of dogs and cats.
Compatible Personalities: Yes, pets do have their own personalities as well. And just like humans, your loved ones do have to bond with their pets. Do make sure the pet and your loved one are able to get along and understand each other.
