The data is clear: Four out of every five pet owners say that their pet diminishes the loneliness they might otherwise feel. For reasons like these, Terrabella Epps Bridge, surrounded by lush lawns and woodlands, is a pet-friendly senior living community that turns pet ownership into a key advantage in life. We take steps to ensure that those with us can enjoy a maintenance-free home that is welcoming for both residents and pets, giving those who move in a new “leash” on life.
Below, we discuss exactly how our community improves the Athens senior lifestyle through the emotional wellness a pet provides, including:
- Animal companionship
- Clear routine
- Feelings of agency and ownership
- Self-expression
- Socialization
Read on to discover how residents benefit from our policies so that they can plan their lives with us with confidence before they move in. Discover how your loved one can then transition into life within our community alongside their furry friend.
Independence and Pet-Friendly Senior Living
In Terrabella Epps Bridge, we understand that aging with pets is not simply a secondary element in someone’s life. To many people, they are just as much a member of the family as a child or grandchild, and we embed that mindset in how we respond to many elements of daily culture within our walls.
Staff know how to interact with our residents, understanding that the pets accompanying them are to be respected, and that even a simple pet interaction needs to be rooted in care, with consistent handling of residents’ pets, regardless of their size or shape.
Our community events are also welcoming to many pets, and both owners and non-owners can mingle, alongside pets, when it makes sense to do so. We also regularly take feedback on how we handle pet ownership processes to allow us to improve our care goals.
Dog-Friendly Senior Housing and Outdoor Spaces
Having a pet that requires daily exercise, such as a dog, is a clear benefit for residents, as it encourages them to move around regularly. UC Davis agrees with us here and has even discovered that those with dogs tend to get around 15% more exercise than those without. Differences in activity like that can have a significant impact on seniors’ daily routines, so we welcome our residents’ efforts to utilize our paved walking loops around our community to get as much exercise as possible while walking their pets.
Health and Emotional Benefits for Athens Seniors
At Monash University, a study on shared interest in a pet found that it decreased feelings of loneliness in many participants, and their health significantly improved as a result. Examples of how this can occur include the simple fact that the daily responsibilities a pet offers give individuals a real sense of agency and an impact in the world, while creating a key understanding of structure that anchors them in every aspect of their life.
If seniors have a lot on their minds, they may also start talking to an animal companion. We even encourage this, as the non-judgmental socialization a pet can offer can quickly mitigate stress and feelings of isolation, while also acting as a form of meditation and introspection for our residents in a similar manner to “rubber ducking“.
At the same time, interacting with pets is well-documented as stimulating the production of many mood-enhancing hormones. These natural chemicals can help alleviate issues such as high blood pressure or other challenges associated with aging. The simple act of touch can also help reduce cortisol levels in the human body, thereby lowering daily stress.
Connecting with Neighbors and Other Residents
Having a pet in senior care can help people to quickly make friends, especially among those who have a similar pet. It acts as a shared and visible topic of conversation. It can provide a way for one person to interact with something associated with another without the social interaction becoming uncomfortable, and help to grow your loved one’s social circle quickly.
When a resident has newly moved in, others will also be quick to spot a new pet and may often be excited to interact with them, quickly bringing people into cliques or groups.
Services That Simplify Pet Care
To support our residents and ensure they can continue to enjoy the companionship of a pet well into their senior years, we offer pet grooming as a supportive service, alleviating much of the burden on our community’s residents. Doing this on-site spares our residents the difficulties of sourcing a pet groomer outside of our community or needing to travel somewhere to get the support they need.
These mobile groomers can perform all expected steps to keep your pet both comfortable and healthy. However, for more information on precisely what they do during this process, you will need to speak with our staff.
Similarly, our laundry service can take sheets and bedding directly from a room, wash and then return them without fuss. Doing this reduces the number of allergens in a living space, making every breath more comfortable for residents who might have a mild allergy.
If your loved one needs the services of a pet, our 24/7 concierge service will call them from the front desk. Calls can be sent to clinics and then returned to our community, ensuring that someone will be available when the call comes in.
Another benefit of staying at Terrabella Epps Bridge is that our front desk allows deliveries to be accepted at any time of day. Should you require a new bag of pet food or medicine, you can order it, and our team will ensure it arrives at your room shortly after it is delivered.
Finally, many of our senior living communities also offer the option of investigating shelter adoption for residents who do not yet have a companion of their own.
Embrace Comfort and Connection Today
Terrabella Epps Bridge understands that the existence of a beloved pet offers an experience that is extremely hard to replicate. As such, we do everything we can to ensure that pets are an integral part of the lives of those who bring them into our community.
To discover precisely what we offer everyone who stays with us, or learn more about our pet-friendly policies, schedule a tour. Learn how we can make pet-friendly senior living as easy as possible.
