Considering a Pet for Your Senior During Adopt-a-Cat Month?
June is adopt a cat month. As a family caregiver, this is an ideal opportunity for you to learn more about how pet ownership can benefit your parents, and consider bringing a new furry best friend into your parent’s life. This can make a tremendous difference in their life, health, and well-being. Studies have shown that regularly interacting with animals can be a powerful way to improve physical health and well-being, as well as mental and emotional health and well-being. This is not only valuable to your senior, but also to you as their caregiver.
Some of the potential benefits your aging parent could experience by bringing a pet into their life include:
● More companionship. Many elderly adults deal with loneliness and isolation as they get older. The loss of friends and family members, moving away from where they have always lived, and mobility and other issues that keep them from participating in activities can leave your parent without the companionship and social interaction they need. Having a pet can offer companionship that reduces the sense of loneliness, and offers a boost in mental stimulation.
● Creating structure and routine in their day. Predictability and routine are very valuable for older adults. These create structure in the day, increase motivation, and reduce a sense of disconnection. A pet provides this structure and routine for your loved one. They must remember to care for the pet by feeding and watering, cleaning up behind them, playing, grooming, and more.
● Increased opportunity for exercise. Getting enough physical activity is very important for your older adult. They may not find as many ways in their daily routine to get this activity, however. With a pet, they are presented with more opportunity to exercise in a way that’s fun and enjoyable for them. With a cat, this can mean rolling a ball for them to chase, playing with a laser pointer or feather toy, and other playful activities.
● Reduced stress. Regularly interacting with a pet has been shown to reduce stress, and protect against the potential dangers of this condition. Lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, and preventing mental-emotional health consequences can all be achieved through this reduction in stress.
Starting home care for your aging parents can be a fantastic way to enhance their quality of life and support them and living the lifestyle they desire as they age in place.
There is a common misconception that care such as this is only appropriate or beneficial for those who are at a very advanced age, or who experience extensive challenges and limitations. This, however, is not the case. Even those seniors with only mild or moderate care needs can benefit greatly from the highly personalized services of an in-home care provider. This care can help your parent manage their basic daily needs while also supporting a more fulfilling life through encouraging them to stay active, enjoy activities, and enrich their lives through such things as owning a pet.