Moving into senior housing from your longtime family home can be overwhelming. Finding out that you can’t bring along your favorite pet can be downright devastating. With a little research, however, you will find that pet-friendly senior housing does exist. There’s even pet-friendly assisted living. Restrictions may limit the number, kind, and size of animals allowed, but in many cases, you will be able to have your pet with you.
Benefits of Pet Ownership for Seniors
Seniors who own a cat or dog are healthier, happier, and live longer. Studies have shown that pets are good for your physical and emotional well-being. A pet provides an opportunity to socialize with others, gives you a sense of purpose, and helps you remain active. Having a pet can help you focus on something other than your own health or physical problems.
Other benefits of pet ownership include:
- Reduced stress
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased learning
- More spontaneity
- Reduced depression
- Less loneliness
- Mental stimulation
- Higher survival rate after a heart attack
- Lower cholesterol and triglycerides
- Better self-esteem
- Higher spirits for those with a memory impairment
Finding Pet-Friendly Senior Housing
More senior living communities are recognizing that residents who own pets feel more comfortable and safer when their furry companions are with them. That’s why more communities are allowing and encouraging pet ownership.
Pet-friendly senior housing units usually allow cats, small- to medium-sized dogs, and other small animals such as birds and fish. Some senior communities have “community” dogs and cats that live on site. A few nursing homes and assisted living facilities even have pet chickens. You may even find a community that offers pet care and grooming among its extra services.
However, even pet-friendly senior housing communities might set weight limits, cap the number of pets you are allowed, or require a deposit or fee.
Questions to Ask Pet-Friendly Communities
When you find a cat- or dog-friendly senior housing community, you want to make sure it is designed to handle pets well. Questions to ask a community include:
- What are the building’s rules regarding pets?
- Are the rooms in your unit large enough for a pet?
- How much of a deposit or fee is required upon move-in?
- Is there a safe place to take your dog or cat for a walk?
- Is the pet area well-lit at night?
- Is there a place for your pet to do its business?
When looking at senior housing communities on After55.com, whether assisted living or senior apartments, most properties will list a pet policy on their listing. You may need to call the community, however, to get the specifics and make sure your dog or cat qualifies.
Best Dog Breeds for Seniors
You may not be compatible with every type of dog, cat, or other animal. You will need a pet that has a great temperament, is well-trained, and is good around older adults.
In this situation, older pets are better than puppies for retired persons. They typically are better trained, are housebroken, obey commands, and can walk well on a leash. The best size and breed of a dog depends on your ability to care for the pet.
If you find pet-friendly senior housing, but your community has a weight limit on dogs, you’ll want to consider smaller breeds. Suggested small dog breeds for seniors include:
- Shih Tzu
- Pug
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Boston Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Poodle
- Maltese
- Bolognese
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Pekingese
Finding the right pet-friendly senior housing community will take a little more time and effort, but it will be well worth it to keep your faithful companion with you.
This post was written by Mary Beth Adomaitis, a contributor for After55.com.
