Written by Dave Singleton, Caring.com author
All those in favor of pets in senior living communities, please raise a paw.
There seem to be lots of paws in the air these days, with a growing consensus among community residents and staff alike that pets bring health, connection, and a sense of home.
“For many, part of having a home is having a pet,” says Paul Kelley, senior director of Operations for Sunrise Senior Living.
“Bringing a pet from home can help older people transition between their individual homes and new senior living homes,” he says.
In addition to the furry creatures who regularly accompany their owners to new, shared quarters, other pets are owned and managed by the facility but shared by the residents.
Kelley notes that while not every assisted living community has a pet program, they’re growing in popularity at a rapid rate, and for good reason.
“Studies show that when seniors interact with pets, depression and loneliness decrease while socialization and conversation rise,” says Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert. Levine speculates that part of the reason is that “pets are not judgmental and they don’t see age or disability.”
Consider these statistics from the Pets for the Elderly Foundation:
- 95% of seniors talk to their pet or a visiting pet
- 82% say pets help when they feel sad
- 71% say pets make them feel better when they feel physically bad
- 65% say touching a pet soothes them
- 57% confide in a pet
In addition to offering unconditional love, lowering blood pressure, helping fight depression and loneliness, and easing loss, pets in assisted living communities keep seniors active.
“Taking care of a pet is a way to engage residents,” says Kelley. “Many stay active by filling water bowls and taking trips to a pet store for treats. Sharing care can also be a bonding opportunity for residents and staff alike.”
“And for residents who are used to being cared for, it’s a nice change for them to step into a caregiver role as they become responsible for an animal’s well-being,” adds Katie Miller, director of Resident Services for Roland Park Place, a continuing care retirement community in Baltimore, Maryland.
Of course, it’s not always Milk-Bone treats, purring, and singing Kumbaya.
Not all resident like or can manage care for pets. What happens then?
“There are common challenges with animals in any community living situation,” says Miller. Sometimes there are allergies or just a plain old lack of affinity for four-legged furry creatures.
“We always make it a point to be respectful of other residents’ needs and concerns with pets around them,” says Miller. “Every resident is different, and every pet case is uniquely handled. And if a resident ever feels as though their pet has become too much of a responsibility, we offer them resources to assist with getting a better grasp on managing the pet without having to give it up.”
There are administrative challenges, too, that senior living community staff need to consider before setting up pet programs.
“There may be a need for liability insurance, and you have to factor in costs,” says Levine.
When a senior facility has a resident pet, the costs are likely build into the care of the residents. But for administrators with budget concerns, Levine suggests reaching out to nonprofit pet therapy groups, which are largely staffed by volunteers, so there is no cost to the living facility. Volunteers use their own pets for visits to the homes, and these pets are usually screened for temperament and, in the case of dogs, they have a Canine Good Citizen certification (CGC).
Whatever the potential challenges, the upsides seem to far outweigh the downsides. For some residents, time with their own pet, daily rounds from a community dog or cat, or weekly therapy visits can be the highlight of their day.
“It’s heartwarming to see the smile that comes across an older person’s face when a four-legged friend walks into the room,” says Kelley. “In her final days, one of our residents who couldn’t get out of bed always brightened up every time she got a visit from the home’s community dog. ‘Don’t dogs just make life wonderful?’ she asked.”
About the Author
Dave Singleton is an award-winning writer and author for Caring.com, the leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones.
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