Contributed by: Sharon Wagner
For seniors, pet ownership can be the answer to a happier, healthier life. Additionally, working with caregivers from Centennial Adultcare Center is a great way to get your senior loved ones what they need. Here’s why seniors often love having pets around, as well as a couple of pet care tips!
Proper Pet Care
If you’re a senior thinking about getting a pet, or you’re helping your senior loved one care for their pet, it’s important to ensure that their furry friend has a proper diet. For example, you may want to choose grain-free dog food, which contains a lower amount of carbohydrates. Looking for dried dog food that is grain-free can help dogs stick to a healthier weight. It also helps their digestive system! When you eliminate grains from your dog’s diet, they will enjoy a diet rich in animal proteins like fish, chicken, and other meats.
Relieve Loneliness and Isolation
Many seniors feel lonely and isolated. But seniors who have pets tend to feel less lonely. Pets can be wonderful companions for seniors who live alone. DogTime states that seniors who have pets report lower levels of loneliness, and pets are especially comforting to seniors who have lost their spouses.
Improve Fitness
It’s not always to stay active as a senior – you may struggle with mobility, and you simply don’t have the energy you once did. But depending on your health, you may be able to get more exercise and activity with a pet in your life. Dog’s Health states that seniors who exercise with their pets are more likely to stick to a regular fitness routine. If you have a dog, they will need to be walked every day, so you won’t be tempted to skip out on exercising!
Structure and Routine
Once you’re retired, it can be tough to keep up with a routine. Lots of seniors struggle to figure out how to manage their time, especially in the first couple of years after retirement. Without adhering to your typical work schedule, you might find yourself feeling a little bit lost. Sometimes, you may feel like you just don’t know how to spend your days, and you worry that you’re wasting your downtime.
But pets need to be fed and walked at specific times, and they thrive when their owners nail down predictable routines. Therefore, getting a pet can be a great solution to this problem. Furthermore, if you’re going for daily walks, you’re almost guaranteed to meet other pet owners in your area to befriend!
Security
If you’re a senior who lives alone, you may feel nervous about your security. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood and you trust your neighbors on your street, you might still worry that someone will try to break into your home and you won’t be able to defend yourself. A pet can help you relax and feel truly safe in your own home, especially if you live by yourself. Furthermore, even if you do move into an assisted living community one day, you will typically be able to bring your pet with you, so you’ll always have that peace of mind.
Seniors who own pets feel a sense of love and connection with their four-legged friends. Whether you’d like to welcome a dog, cat, or other pet into your home, doing so can definitely boost your quality of life! With these tips, you’ll be able to feed your pet the right diet and adopt a healthy routine.
Are you seeking care for a senior loved one? Centennial Adultcare Center is here for you. Fill out the contact form on our website to learn more about our caregiving services.