Can An Elderly Person Who Lives At Home Have A Pet?
Almost anyone who owns a pet at home can experience the love and joy that having a pet can bring into their lives. Additionally, pets have additional advantages including promoting physical activity and giving their owners a feeling of purpose. According to studies, having a pet at home has many benefits for senior citizens, including companionship, a better mood, improved motor abilities, and lower blood pressure. But not every senior citizen is fit to owning a pet, particularly if they are unable to provide for the animal’s needs or if the difficulties of providing for a pet become too great for seniors with cognitive or physical disabilities.
Five indications that a loved one should no longer own a pet
Some indications that your elderly friend or relative ought to look into alternate pet care options include:
1. The animal appears untidy or thin: Pets that lose weight quickly may be an indication that their food isn’t being given to them properly or that they are ill. If you have any concerns, consult the pet’s doctor.
2. The house smells like pet waste: If your friend or family member’s dog or cat doesn’t get enough exercise or their cat’s litter box isn’t cleaned frequently enough, the scent of pee or excrement in the pet’s living space is a sign that something is wrong.
3. The elderly person seems forgetful: If you notice that your loved one isn’t taking care of themselves or struggles with daily tasks, it would be a good idea to examine if their pet is receiving proper care.
4. Your loved one has movement issues: Progressive mobility issues are frequently brought on by advancing age. When a person owns a pet, they are responsible for taking care of all of the creature’s needs, including walking a dog, changing a cat’s litter box, and making sure the pet isn’t being mistreated in any other manner.
5. They don’t have the money to care for a pet: Caring for a pet involves a lot of expenses, including paying for food, supplies, toys, and veterinary care. Finding out if your loved one has the financial resources to take care of their pet’s requirements is crucial because many older folks worry about paying for their own prescription drugs and doctor visits.
Why it’s a Good Idea to Get Ready for Pet Rehoming Early
It might be hard to try to find a new home for your loved one’s pet if a medical emergency arises and new living arrangements are required. Asking your older loved one to include their pet in their estate plan, along with a guardian or enough money to cover the pet’s ongoing vet costs and expenses, will help you avoid this. Your loved one can prevent the need to find the pet a new home by making arrangements in advance to ensure that their pet will have a suitable, caring environment.
Also Read: How to Assess a Senior’s Needs and Make a Care Plan
How to Support an Aging Family Member Who Loves Animals How to Manage Without a Pet at Home
Even if an older adult doesn’t have a pet of their own, they can still engage with animals. For instance, interacting with a family member’s pet or scheduling in-home pet therapy sessions can both improve a person’s happiness. Older folks who are still in reasonably good physical shape could think about volunteering at an animal shelter as a way to get out of the house and interact with animals.
Don’t Miss: Best Senior Housing Alternatives: Which One Is Right For You?
Are you curious to find out more about how seniors can thrive by aging in place with the assistance of in-home caregivers like those we provide at CareAtHeart HomeCare? Call (610) 765-0497 to get in touch with us and request home care in Philadelphia right away.