Yoda is a six-year-old Bichon Frise and pet therapist. His owner takes him to the local assisted living facility twice a week to entertain the residents, and Milton Ellsworth is one of his favorites. “I always look forward to Tuesdays and Fridays here,” says Ellsworth. “I think even the nurses love Yoda, because he cheers us up, and their job is easier if we’re happy.”
There are Pet-Friendly Assisted Living Communities
Pets in Assisted Living: Personal Companions
Some assisted living facilities are pet friendly, meaning they allow their residents to bring a pet with them when they move in. Usually, facilities will charge an additional fee to residents with pets, and they have a pet policy that prevents residents from keeping large animals and more aggressive breeds of dogs. For elderly persons who already have pets, pet friendly facilities make the transition to assisted care much easier.
Pros:
Research shows us that:
• Seniors with dogs don’t need to see the doctor as often.
• Pets encourage social interaction by sparking conversation.
• Pets increase the amount of exercise seniors get each day.
• Seniors who interact with pets laugh more.
• Pets satisfy basic needs for warmth and affection.
Cons:
• If seniors are unable to care for their pets properly, staff can be burdened with the animal’s care.
• Pets can be costly for residents who live on a fixed income.
Pets in Assisted Living: Pet Therapy
For assisted living communities that don’t allow pets and for residents who cannot care for a pet full-time, pet therapy is a popular option. Dogs (like Yoda) and cats make scheduled visits on a regular basis giving residents time to interact with pets. Many cats and dogs go through special pet therapy training before they visit residents.
A quick reminder. Though pets are great companions for seniors, they cannot completely replace human interaction. Human contact is very important for us all.
Tags: dogs, pet friendly assisted living, pet therapy, pets
