Benefits of Owning a Pet and Comfort Care for Seniors

Learn about the advantages of comfort care and having a pet for your elderly loved one in Plano, TX

Many individuals, mainly the elderly, love the pleasure of keeping a pet. Spending every day with their own pet offers pet owners something to look forward to and gives their lives more purpose.

But did you know that having a pet may bring a variety of advantages to senior citizens?

Having a furry friend is more than just something to adore and play with every day for seniors. It also entails having a consistent care regimen, the ability to include some physical exercise into their day, and a shared interest with others in their community.

Increased Contentment

According to a new study from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), pets are beneficial for older people not only because they make them smile but also because they enhance their moods.

Many elderly people are concerned about what will happen tomorrow. On the other hand, taking care of a pet and spending time with it provides them with something nice to think about. More importantly, it gives them something to focus on in the present. When seniors are focused on taking their dog for a walk or sitting on the sofa with their beloved pet, they are less concerned about the future.

Pets may also help older people who are suffering from health problems or are living alone feel better. According to a 2014 study, senior pet owners had much less depression than non-pet owners.

Loneliness has decreased

Isolation is a typical complaint among seniors who choose to age in place. Seniors who have difficulty getting about or remembering certain days and occasions may lose out on social opportunities with friends and family. This may lead to seniors spending most of their days alone at home, making them feel lonely and having a terrible influence on their overall health.

On the other hand, pets provide company for the elderly as they go about their everyday lives. These pets bring the elderly companionship while they get ready for work, prepare supper, clean up after meals, bathe, or do whatever else they need to do throughout the day. These dogs help the elderly feel a sense of enjoyment and reduce loneliness by keeping them occupied.

Pets have long been considered a source of comfort and companionship for many elderly people, according to the AVMA. Indeed, the experts behind this study claim that there is evidence that dogs may help older men and women feel less lonely. This may explain why so many older people keep dogs at home. Pets provide individuals with someone to spend time with daily, keeping them joyful and preventing feelings of loneliness.

Creating a Day-to-Day Care Routine

Seniors, particularly those with age-related cognitive problems, have a proclivity for forgetting things. Creating and following a schedule may assist your loved ones in remembering duties and make it easier for them to care for themselves. Having a pet also necessitates creating a routine to properly care for them.

While older individuals must maintain a daily routine, it is even more critical for them to build one with their pets. When your loved one sets a consistent pattern for themselves and their pet, they will remain healthy and well-rested throughout the week, avoiding any uncertainty or stress.

Getting up around the same time every morning and offering their cat or dog food and water will educate them on where to sleep at night. Having a fixed timetable can aid your loved ones in memorizing their routine and make it simpler to integrate it into their daily routine.

Increased Physical Activity

Aside from giving company, having a pet allows elderly individuals to participate in some physical exercise. If your loved one struggles to keep active, having a pet might help them fit some exercise into their daily routine.

Having a dog requires spending time outdoors with it. Dogs can play fetch if they have a big enough backyard. Alternatively, your loved one may walk the dog every day. Some cats like going on walks, and your loved one may keep their feline friend and themselves active by having them chase around a feather teaser toy. These exercises are an excellent way to burn calories while exercising.

A Way to Meet New People

Many people in your loved one's neighborhood are likely to have dogs. Having a pet may 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 may spend some time at a local dog park interacting with other dog owners. They might also ask other cat owners which treats are the best at a local pet supply shop.

Your loved one might also go outside their immediate surroundings. There are several online pet forums and groups. When your loved one joins one of these forums, they may talk about their pet with others, receive pet supply suggestions, and connect with other pet lovers all over the globe.

How Visiting Angels Can Assist Senior Pet Owners

At Visiting Angels, we recognize that delivering exceptional elder care requires addressing all of the care recipient's needs. We will look after not just your loved one's physical requirements but also their emotional and social ones.

If your loved one has difficulty with daily duties, our caregivers can assist with light housework, food preparation, and washing. Your loved one may then concentrate on feeding their pet, walking their dog, or playing with their cat. Meanwhile, a devoted caregiver will provide them with assistance and support.

Our caregivers can also join your loved ones when they go for a walk with their dog, buy pet supplies, or spend the day at the dog park. Our caregivers will offer companionship, but they will also ensure that your loved one and their beloved companion remain secure.

Our Social Care program may also assist your loved one in interacting with other pet owners by teaching them how to utilize technology. For example, we can help your loved one create a Facebook account and join pet-related organizations. We can also teach them to use a search engine to discover pet food, toys, and other items.

We recognize that having a pet is a pleasant and enriching experience for older people. We can customize our senior care services so that your loved ones can concentrate on enjoying their golden years with their furry friend.

Call now to set up a free in-home consultation!