Benefits of Pet Ownership for Seniors in Eldersburg, MD and Surrounding Areas

Many individuals, especially seniors in Eldersburg, Westminster, Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City, Randallstown and other nearby Maryland communities, love owning a pet. Spending every day with their own companion offers pet owners something to look forward to and brings significance to their lives.

But did you know that having a pet may bring a variety of advantages to the elderly?

For seniors, owning a pet means more than just having someone to love and play with every day. It also necessitates maintaining a consistent care regimen, engaging in some physical exercise throughout the day and sharing a common interest with people in their neighborhood.

Increased Happiness

Pets are beneficial to seniors not just because they make people smile, but also because they enhance their moods, according to new study from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Many seniors are concerned about what will happen tomorrow. Taking care of a pet and spending time with their furry friend, on the other hand, provides them with a pleasurable distraction. It provides seniors with something to do in the present to keep their focus. Seniors may be less concerned about the future when they are out walking their dog or relaxing on the sofa with their beloved pet.

Pets also promote the well-being of the elderly, who may be suffering from health problems or living alone. A study from 2014 found that seniors who had a pet had considerably lower levels of depression than seniors who did not own a pet.

Decreased Loneliness

Isolation is a typical issue for elderly adults who are living alone. Seniors who struggle to move or recall certain dates and events may lose out on chances to engage with friends and family. As a consequence, seniors may spend the bulk of the day alone at home, which may make them feel lonely and have a negative effect on their general well-being.

Pets, on the other hand, keep seniors company while they go about their everyday activities. These animals may accompany their owners while they prepare for work, make supper, clean up after meals, bathe or do everything else they need to do throughout the day. Pets may also keep aging people active and happy, making them feel less lonely.

According to the AVMA, dogs have long been recognized as a source of comfort and companionship for the elderly. Indeed, according to the experts behind this study, dogs reduce loneliness among older men and women. This might explain why so many older people keep dogs. Pets provide them someone to spend time with every day, which keeps them happy and stops them from feeling lonely.

Even if your loved one is unable to attend social events on a regular basis, you know they will always have a loving companion to keep them company at home.

Developing an Everyday Care Routine

Seniors, particularly those with age-related cognitive impairments, are prone to forgetfulness. Developing and keeping to a schedule may assist your loved one in remembering certain behaviors and making it simpler for them to care for themselves. Having a pet involves the establishment of a routine in order to properly care for them.

While having a daily routine is important for the elderly, having a routine with their pets is even more important. Your loved one will be healthy and well-rested throughout the week if they have a regular routine for themselves and their pet.

Getting up at the same time every morning and giving their cat or dog food and water will educate them when to sleep at night. A predetermined schedule may assist your loved one in remembering their habit and making it simpler to include into their daily routine.

Increased Physical Activity

Aside from giving company, having a pet encourages elderly individuals to participate in physical exercise. If your loved one has trouble staying active, getting a pet may help them include some physical exercise into their daily routine.

Having a dog, for example, entails spending time outside with it. They can play fetch if they have a big enough backyard. Alternatively, your loved one might walk their dog every day. Some cats like taking walks, and your loved one may keep their cat and themselves occupied by chasing a feather teaser toy about. These hobbies are excellent ways to get some exercise and burn calories.

A Way to Make New Friends

Many people in Carroll, Howard and Baltimore Counties have dogs, cats or other pets. Having a pet is an excellent method to bring people together and assist your loved one in making new acquaintances. If your loved one has a dog that has to be walked every day, they could spend some time at a local dog park interacting with other dog owners. They might also go to a neighboring pet shop and ask other cat owners what the best treats are.

Your loved one can also find likeminded pet owners online. On the internet, there are several pet forums and communities. When your loved one joins one of these forums, they may be able to talk about their pet with other people, obtain pet supply suggestions and discover a common interest with other pet lovers all around the globe.

How Visiting Angels Eldersburg Helps Elderly Pet Owners

Visiting Angels Eldersburg understands that delivering exceptional home care entails meeting all of the requirements of the care recipient. We will attend to your loved one's emotional and social requirements in addition to their physical ones.

If your loved one is having difficulty with their daily routine, our caregivers can assist with light housekeeping, food preparation and laundry. Your loved one may then devote their attention to feeding their pet, walking their dog or playing with their cat. Meanwhile, a committed caregiver will offer them with the assistance and support they need.

Our caregivers may also accompany your loved one for a dog walk, to the pet shop or to the dog park. Our caregivers can provide companionship and stimulating conversation while also ensuring the safety of your loved one and their beloved pet.

Our Social Care program may also help your loved one interact with other pet owners by teaching them how to utilize technology. For example, we can assist your loved one in creating a Facebook account and joining pet-related groups. We may also demonstrate how to utilize a search engine to get ideas for pet food, toys and other items.

We recognize that having a pet can be a gratifying and enjoyable experience for seniors, and we can personalize our home care services so that your loved one can concentrate on enjoying their golden years with their furry friend while providing you with peace of mind.

Call us today at 410-549-8002 to schedule a free in-home consultation!