Did you know that it has been proven that Elderly who live alone or in group facilities thrive better with a pet? Pets provide great companionship and ease the loneliness that can sometimes be experienced by seniors.
They provide great therapy and have shown to help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction, physical activity, and overall happiness. There are many benefits of pets for the elderly, however, if this Christmas you are considering a pet for a loved one, then there are a few things you need to consider first.
The most important thing is not to make any assumptions. Make sure the person is receptive to a pet and open to the idea of the required care that is involved in having a companion. Depending on the type of pet, they can be extremely demanding in the provision of care that is required, however, they can equally add purpose to the elderly person’s day, knowing that they have specific tasks that they need to attend to in caring for their pet.
Some considerations include are they able to care adequately for the pet? Maintenance tasks such as bathing and grooming, the cost of food, medical and veterinarian expenses need to all be considered. Diminishing mobility of seniors is an important consideration if wanting a pet like an active dog breed that requires regular exercise, is the recipient able to provide walks. And what are the back up plans, as the health of seniors can change unexpectedly, which may impact on their ability to continue to care for the pet. An additional consideration is having a plan for who is to assume care of the pet should they out live their owner.
The suitability of the environment for a pet should also be considered; particularly the availability of space, whether there is adequate fencing, and if there are any other animals in close proximity. A dog can have the added advantage of the additional sense of security for the elderly, as they are very effective at raising the alarm.
There are many advantages of pets for the elderly, however, you should never surprise someone with a pet, unless it has been previously discussed and all aspects of pet ownership have been considered. When purchasing the pet, you may want to consider adoption of a pet, perhaps consider a more senior aged pet from shelters and rescue centres that have animals that require a good home. These pets are assessed, up-to-date with vaccinations and generally already desexed, so it is a great option to consider.
Should you wish to light up someone’s Christmas with a pet, only do so if it is a mutually agreeable and a thoroughly considered and research decision. From all the team at Envigor we wish you and your families a happy and safe Christmas!