Anyone who’s ever owned a dog or cat knows that their companionship just makes life better. But, they do more than provide companionship.
According to the CDC, there are many emotional benefits of pets for seniors. Research shows that aging with pets can lead to healthier aging and an enhanced sense of overall well-being.
That’s why many seniors in Anderson, SC, are looking for assisted living with pets allowed. Pet-friendly senior living is great for both pets and seniors. Retired people have a lot of spare time, but often feel they lack purpose.
Owning a dog or cat is a great way to offer seniors companionship and routine. Interested in learning more about animals in assisted living? This article explores the topic in more detail.
Why Pets Are Great for Seniors
When people retire, they’re often not prepared for how lonely they feel. Often, people don’t realize how important it is to catch up with co-workers in the hallway. They take these everyday interactions for granted, and when they retire, a lot of these opportunities for chatting and socializing disappear overnight.
Pets like dogs and cats offer ready companionship. Having a pet could help:
- Reduce feelings of loneliness
- Boost sense of emotional connection
- Improve overall mood
- Help facilitate social interactions
When you retire, you don’t just miss out socially; it also impacts your routine. When you’re working, you might not need much motivation to stay active. For example, if you’re working as a mailman, you’ll easily walk tens of thousands of steps per week, just from doing your job.
In retirement, getting those steps in is much harder. Some seniors lack motivation to take walks and stay active if there’s no goal or purpose. Assisted living with pets allowed helps seniors stay active and engaged by giving residents something they feel responsible for.
When you have a dog that needs fresh air and exercise, you have a living reminder to put your shoes on and get outdoors. According to the Veterans Association, this kind of routine can help seniors enjoy a renewed sense of purpose.
What to Look for in Assisted Living With Pets Allowed
So, if you’re looking for dog-friendly retirement communities, what kind of community should you look for? Unless you want to spend your retirement hiding your Yorkshire Terrier in your handbag, you’ll need to find a community that explicitly allows pets.
Look for a community that welcomes animals but balances that with safety. In a retirement community, it’s crucial for both pet and non-pet owners to feel comfortable in their environment. You can expect senior living pet policies to outline:
- Size Limits: People in assisted living often have mobility issues, so large dog breeds like Great Danes are usually not allowed
- Vaccination Requirements: To keep other pets within the community safe, you’ll need evidence of vaccinations
- Limited Number of Pets: Most communities have an upper limit on how many pets an individual resident can have
If you’re in doubt about the suitability of your pet, reach out to local senior living communities and clarify their policies.
Questions to Ask When Considering Communities
While many senior living communities allow residents to have pets, there are often restrictions on what type. Studies show the benefits of senior pet ownership, but sadly, senior living communities aren’t always equipped to handle them.
Dogs, cats, and other larger pets aren’t always allowed, and some communities restrict residents to smaller animals like birds, fish, or hamsters.
It’s vital that you understand specific pet policies and whether they apply to your animal friend.
When touring a pet-friendly community, consider bringing your pet along for the tour. After all, your pet also needs to approve of their new home.
While visiting a community, pay close attention to how the staff react to your pet. If a community is truly comfortable with animals in assisted living, that should be clear in how the staff engage with your pet.
Preparing for the Move
When you’ve found the ideal community for you and your pet, you’ll need to do some preparation. Just like you, moving into assisted living is a big change for your pet. Consider helping them deal with the transition by gradually introducing them to their new environment.
For example, maybe you could move in first and have your pet frequently come to visit, until they’re at ease enough to make the transition. You should also fill your new space with familiar items.
For example, if you’re moving with a dog, you should bring along things like:
- Bedding and blankets
- Their favorite toys
- Any medications they might need
Grooming Services
If you have an animal that needs regular grooming, you might want to look into local options. If you’re not sure, try asking staff during a tour. If you’re touring a truly pet-friendly community, they should know exactly where the best local grooming services are.
Find a Local Vet
You should also research local veterinarians in the area. Transporting pets is never easy, but it’s even more of a challenge if they’re sick. Ideally, you should consider communities that have a vet conveniently located nearby.
Elderly pet owners have some unique needs compared to the average. For example, senior pet owners could have memory problems that could affect their ability to administer medication correctly. The best vets will always account for these problems.
They’ll offer you plenty of actionable tips on handling pet care into old age. When you’re touring communities trying to find the ideal pet-friendly living situation, don’t forget to ask the staff about the local vet options.
Visit Our Pet-Friendly Community
Assisted living with pets allowed gives seniors the chance to enjoy companionship and routine within a safe, supportive community. Living in a pet-friendly environment offers many benefits, such as healthier aging and social engagement.
Finding the right community ensures you and your pet can thrive in the next chapter of your life. Looking for the Best Senior Living Community In Anderson, SC? TerraBella Marchbanks offers pet-friendly assisted living and memory care options.
Want to experience our strong community spirit for yourself? Schedule a tour today and see what TerraBella Marchbanks has to offer.
