Benefits Of Pets In Reducing Social Isolation And Loneliness

Loneliness and social isolation are growing concerns among older adults in America, including those here in Flagstaff, AZ. Recent studies and research suggest that individuals who experience loneliness and isolation have a higher risk of health concerns like high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. Studies also show that individuals who live alone with pets often have a lower risk of loneliness.

Benefits Of Pets

Adopting a pet may not be the ultimate answer to ending isolation and loneliness in seniors. Still, there are many ways in which interacting with pets may help reduce signs of loneliness and social isolation. A few benefits of having a pet include:

• Provides a sense of purpose: Your pet depends on you for food, attention, and general care. Having something to care for can help give you a sense of purpose and meaning in your day-to-day life.
• Provides companionship: One of the great things about pets is they’re always around to hang out with you. Some pets, like low-maintenance dogs and cats, prefer low-activity days and would love nothing more than lying with you while you read or watch television.
• Encourages physical activity: Even low-energy pets need some sort of physical activity. Dogs need daily walks, and smaller mammals like cats and hamsters need playtime. Engaging with animals as they enjoy their physical activity is a great way to encourage seniors to do something physical, too.
• Help connect you with others: People love talking about their pets. Having a pet can help you connect with other pet lovers through playgroups, pet store visits, or even online forums.
• Give you something to talk to: Pets make great listeners. No, your pets can’t hold a conversation or respond to you, but sometimes it’s nice to talk out loud and express your thoughts and emotions to a pet.

Fostering Or Volunteering In Flagstaff

Adopting a pet is a big responsibility and not something you should jump into if you don’t feel ready. Whether you’re unsure if you can handle a pet full-time or you live somewhere with pet restrictions, there are ways to enjoy the benefits of a pet without having to commit to one.

Fostering a Pet

Fostering is a temporary placement of a pet at your home. Depending on the organization you foster with, you can have the pet for a few days to test if you’re ready for a full-time pet, or you can foster the animal until a forever family adopts it.

One of the great things about fostering is that as a foster, you often get a chance to adopt the pet if you feel like it's a good fit for your family before adoptions are open to the public. If you decide you can’t live without your new friend, you can make it official. But if you don’t think it’s the right fit, you can feel good knowing that you helped the animal get out of a shelter for a few days until they find their family.

You can foster all types of pets in Flagstaff through the Coconino Humane Association or the High Country Humane Society.

Volunteering with Animals

Fostering can still feel like a big commitment, especially if you’ve never had a pet before. A great first step into learning about animals and the types of pets you might like is to volunteer with an animal shelter.

Volunteers assist shelters with everything from shopping for pet supplies and cleaning out crates to providing transportation for animals or uploading photos to their website. However, one of the primary things pet rescues need volunteers for is to socialize with the pets in their care. Socializing can mean taking a dog for a walk, sitting with a rabbit to see how they interact with humans, or playing with a cat to determine their personality.

The Coconino Humane Association and the High Country Humane Society have volunteer opportunities as well as foster.

Fighting Loneliness And Isolation At Visiting Angels

Visiting Angels is a locally owned and operated home care agency. One of our primary goals is to help seniors feel less alone as they age. While we don’t provide the same services as a pet, we do have an amazing team of compassionate caregivers who offer companion care to our clients.

Companion care from Visiting Angels provides clients with at-home assistance and companionship. We can help with light housekeeping, cooking, local transportation, and medication reminders. But more than simply helping out, our caregivers are there to chat, have fun, and bring a smile to clients’ faces.

Contact us to learn more about our senior care services, including companion care. We’re available at 928-220-4100 and looking forward to being an additional source of comfort and support.