Pets are part of the family. Find a place where you’ll both feel at home with Caring Places Management.
Pets provide companionship, comfort, and joy to the 55% of older adults who share their home with a dog, cat, or other pet. Yet while pet ownership has a lot of benefits, it also presents challenges for senior living.
As it grows difficult for parents to care for themselves, pet care becomes burdensome too. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions about pet-friendly assisted living, many older adults remain at home longer than they should in order to keep their pets.
In reality, more assisted living communities today are pet-friendly than not. Three out of four senior living communities accept pets, BringFido reports. That’s good news for older adults who can’t bear the thought of downsizing without their four-legged family members.
How to find pet-friendly senior living
Online search tools are the best way to find pet-friendly assisted living nearby. Families should first screen facilities for basic criteria like location, type of care provided, living environment, and programs and amenities.
After identifying communities that meet a parent’s care needs, research pet policies*. Answer these questions when evaluating pet-friendly communities:
- What kind of pets are allowed?
- How many pets may a resident have?
- Are pets subject to size or breed restrictions?
- Is there outdoor space for pets (walking trails, dog runs)?
- Is help with pet care available?
- How is pet care managed if a resident is sick?
Tips for moving a pet into assisted living
Pets are sensitive to changes in routine. A careful approach to downsizing with pets will reduce stress and create a smooth transition for everyone.
That starts with introducing dogs and cats to the pet carrier in advance of a move. Introduce carriers slowly by placing carriers in a visible area with the door open. A soft blanket and treat inside encourage positive associations with the pet carrier.
Minimize move anxiety by packing a home’s least-trafficked areas first. Keeping move-related activities out of sight avoids stress-related behaviors like hyperactivity, barking, or house accidents.
The bulk of packing should be saved for moving day. The faster a house is packed and the moving truck loaded, the less disruption to pets’ lives. Searching for professional movers near me brings up a list of local moving companies along with reviews. This makes it easy for families to evaluate companies for efficiency, timeliness, and professionalism before soliciting quotes.
(Tip: Wait until after moving to list a home for sale. Staging and selling a home is easier without pets on site.)
Pets are safest in a quiet, secure room on moving day with white noise to mask moving-related sounds. Alternatively, hire a pet sitter or kennel to keep pets out of the house for the day. Microchips should be updated with current contact information prior to moving day as added protection.
Patience is necessary as a pet adjusts to a new home. Unsure pets may hide or need extra reassurance following a move. Familiar routines and items like pet beds, blankets, and toys help pets feel at home. Avoid exposing pets to new people or other animals until they’re confident in their new surroundings.
Caring for pets in assisted living
Keeping up with pets grows more challenging with age. Taking these steps after moving to assisted living sets older adults and their companions up for a healthy transition:
- Find a mobile veterinarian and groomer. Mobile clinics eliminate barriers to routine veterinary care.
- Purchase pet supplies like self-cleaning litter boxes, elevated feeders, and no-pull harnesses that make pet ownership easier for seniors.
- Hire help with pet care through on-site pet services or private dog walkers and pet sitters.
- Prevent pet-related falls with proper training and storing toys and supplies away from walkways.
It’s possible for older adults to get the care they need without giving up beloved pets. Pet-friendly assisted living makes it possible to age alongside four-legged family members while enjoying the convenience and comfort of senior living. Find the right community for your family with Caring Places Management.
*Disclaimer: Caring Places Management will make every effort to accommodate request to allow pets into the community. Unfortunately, due to the nature and level of care required for residents, certain circumstances may not allow for pets to be admitted into the community. Please reach out to the Administrator for more information.
