As we age, the companionship of pets often becomes more vital, offering comfort, love, and purpose. Studies have shown that owning a pet can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve your overall fitness.
Recognizing this, many senior living communities have embraced pet-friendly policies to accommodate residents and their beloved animals. These environments don’t just allow pets—they celebrate their role in enriching lives because senior living communities, and especially Sonida Senior Living, know the all-too-important health benefits owning a pet can offer pet owners.
Benefits of pets in senior living
Owning a pet later in life can enrich the lives of those living in senior living. The presence of pets in senior communities goes far beyond simple companionship. Studies show that interacting and owning animals later on in life can improve the quality of a person’s life including:
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Petting a cat or dog has been proven to lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation. Seniors with PTSD can also benefit from owning a pet due to the unconditional affection that pets give to their owners. And, in general, pets provide seniors with a daily routine and a sense of responsibility, fostering emotional stability and enhancing self-worth.
- Boost cognitive and physical health: Studies show that pet ownership may slow cognitive decline in older adults. For instance, owning a pet for an extended period has been linked to better verbal memory, cognitive fluency, and reduced risk of dementia, particularly for seniors living alone. Dog ownership, in particular, encourages consistent physical activity through walking, which has cognitive and physical benefits. Daily walks or playtime with pets also encourage mobility and exercise, along with lowering the risks of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases that living a sedentary life can exacerbate.
- Combat loneliness: Pets offer unconditional love and provide a sense of purpose, especially for seniors living alone. Animals will also help alleviate depression. A pet requires its owner to remain active and can help him or her feel less isolated from society. For instance, pets can act as social catalysts, encouraging interactions with other people during walks or visits to pet-friendly spaces. These interactions help combat the social isolation that many seniors experience, improving their overall quality of life.
The University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation conducted a national poll in October 2018 of seniors who own pets with the following results:
- 88% of pet owners said their pets helped them enjoy life.
- 86% said their pet made them feel loved.
- 79% said pets reduced their stress.
- 73% said their pets gave them a sense of purpose.
- 65% said pets helped them connect with other people.
These findings highlight the numerous benefits pets provide to older adults, particularly in enhancing emotional and physical well-being. Many pet owners report that their animals offer meaningful companionship, reduce stress, and help them stay active. Pets also play a vital role in helping individuals manage physical and emotional challenges, including pain, while fostering feelings of love, joy, and purpose. Additionally, they often serve as social connectors, helping their owners build relationships and engage more fully with life.
Choosing pet-friendly senior housing
When looking for the right senior living community fit, Sonida Senior Living communities understand the importance of our residents bringing their furry companion when they move in, or if they decide to adopt a pet after moving into one of our communities. Here at Sonida Senior Living, we are committed to providing quality senior housing and improving our residents’ quality of life. With that in mind, consider these key factors before choosing a pet-friendly senior living community:
Pet policies: Does the community allow all types of pets, or are there restrictions on breed, size, or species? Sonida Senior Living communities allow small pets under 40 pounds. Dogs, cats and birds are accepted with some communities not allowing all dog breeds. And, in some cases, pet owners need to live on the first floor of the community.
Inquire about fees: Some communities charge additional deposits or monthly fees for pets to cover maintenance or potential damage. Understanding these costs upfront will help avoid financial surprises now and in the future.
Services and amenities: Look for features like walking trails, nearby pet-sitting services and veterinary clinics. It is also a good idea to know the proximity of local pet stores and dog parks. Depending on the pet owner’s transportation options, or if he or she is still driving, knowing where the local clinics, pet stores and dog parks are located is essential in making sure the correct research is completed while picking the right senior living community.
All of our communities offer walking trails at our residences. However, dogs do need to be leashed at all times when in the public areas of the community.
Backup plan: Owners need to be cognizant of the inevitable. Suppose the pet owner has to move to a long-term care community or have an extended stay in the hospital, a backup plan must be established with someone available to care for the animal in the owner’s absence.
Best pets for seniors
The APPA National Pet Owners Survey says almost 70% of pet owners have a dog while cats come in second place with 43% saying they own a cat. Not all breeds of dogs and cats are suitable for seniors, however. Here are the top three breeds for dogs and cats specifically for seniors:
- Bichon Frise – These small dogs have more grooming needs but don’t shed too much and have moderate energy.
- Boston terrier – These dogs are friendly, well-mannered, affectionate, have a lot of energy and are easy to groom.
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel – These small dogs are affectionate, easily trained and love being with their owners.
Click here for a quiz from the American Kennel Club that can help you select a dog breed that fits your capabilities and needs.
- American bobtail – These cats are affectionate and don’t like to be left alone, they would rather bond with their humans.
- American shorthair – These cats are people-oriented and love to cuddle, which makes them a good companion for seniors.
- Birman – This is an affectionate, gentle and intelligent cat that loves companionship, has a playful side and is low-maintenance.
Click here for a quiz from Purina that can help you select a cat breed that fits your capabilities and needs.
Where to get a pet
Adopting a pet from an animal rescue organization, the humane society or a local shelter is the most common and affordable way to own a pet. Every year, many pets are surrendered to shelters or animal rescues, with many having to be euthanized because of overpopulation, so these organizations make it fairly cost-effective to adopt.
Adopting isn’t free, but usually when adopting a pet, the animal is already up-to-date on their vaccines and are spayed or neutered, with most micro-chipped in the event the animal gets lost.
As a senior pet owner, consider adopting a senior cat or dog. Senior dogs and cats are less energetic, less needy and less likely to injure a resident with their teeth or claws as kittens and puppies learn how to use both as they grow.
Senior communities with pet services
Sonida Senior Living’s pet policies vary between each of our communities. If you’re interested in learning more about our senior living communities click here to learn more about each community.
Let your next chapter be filled with love, companionship, and the joy of pets!
Contact us to schedule a tour of a Sonida Senior Living community, or to request more information about a community near you. Don’t wait to start living your best life – join Sonida Senior Living and find your joy here!
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Find a community
If you’re a senior or caregiver looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care services for you or your loved one, contact us to schedule a tour or request information about a community near you.
