The last thing you want to do is bring your pet with you when you move into assisted living. You want to be sure that this is the right decision for both of you and that they will be well-cared for during their golden years. Hopefully, this article will help clear up some confusion about pet-friendly assisted living in Wake Forest, NC, and how to find the best one in your area!
Is it Safe for Residents?
You’ll want to ensure that there ares designated area for pets and that they’re allowed in common areas during certain times. Also, if you want to bring your pet with you when you eat dinner or breakfast at the assisted living community, you should ask if there are restrictions on where pets can go during meal times. Are they allowed in the dining room? In the kitchen? In the laundry room?
If there are other guests who don’t have a pet or don’t like dogs (and vice versa), this is an important thing to consider so that everyone has as pleasant an experience as possible.
Does it Have a Comfortable Setting?
In addition to the basic considerations mentioned above, you should also consider the feel of your potential senior-friendly independent living community. This can be hard to judge from looking at an online photo gallery of rooms and amenities, so if you can make an in-person visit, do so.Â
The community should be clean and well-maintained, with plenty of color and light inside the building. It should have a welcoming atmosphere that makes visitors feel welcome as well—this may include things like flowers or other decorations on tables or even just pleasant music playing in common areas.
Does it Have a Veterinarian on the Team?
When you are looking for a pet-friendly assisted living community, make sure it has a veterinarian on the team. This is important because the majority of pets’ illnesses and injuries require immediate attention from a professional who can diagnose and treat them.
If your pet has specific needs due to his/her age or medical condition, such as diabetes management or joint problems (such as arthritis), the team should take these into account when providing food, water bowls, beds/blankets/pillows (or even toys).
While most communities will allow residents’ pets on-site at certain times and under certain conditions, generally only when accompanied by the resident, a few may not allow any animals at all because of allergies among their residents.
Does it Offer Mobility-Friendly Pet Care Options?
Pet-friendly retirement communities are designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, making them a great option for you and your pet. Some communities have ramps, walkways, and doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs or walkers. They’ll also have elevators and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms to make moving around the building easier.
Some communities allow dogs on a case-by-case basis but most have strict weight limits in order to ensure that no one is at risk of injury while walking in hallways or entering rooms with their pets.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of information in this article, but the most important takeaway should be that you need to do your research. A great senior-friendly independent living community with a pet-friendly policy is going to be a better experience for you and your pet than one without one. And remember that if you have any questions or concerns about any specific option, don’t hesitate to ask them!
