Pet Friendly Senior Living Benefits All Animal Lovers
Country Meadows Retirement Communities
For more information about the author, click to view their website: https://www.countrymeadows.com/communities/south-hills-pa
Feb 28, 2024
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
Pet Friendly Senior
Living Benefits All Animal Lovers
By: Country Meadows
| Senior Living
The bond
between humans and animals is complex and deeply rooted. Studies have shown
time and time again that animal companions can offer numerous benefits for
people of all ages and can be a valuable tool in healthy aging. In pet friendly
senior living, furry friends enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
Some
retirement communities like Country Meadows offer pet friendly senior living.
For residents who don’t have a pet of their own, each campus has house pets for
everyone to love, spoil and enjoy. And Dynamic Living teams plan visits to and
from animal rescue groups, volunteer opportunities to make pet toys and treats
and special events such as dog weddings and furry sweethearts.
Pets provide many
benefits, including:
Companionship
Pets
provide companionship and emotional support, reducing feelings of loneliness
and isolation that some seniors may experience. A pet friendly senior living
community provides many opportunities to interact with animals, whether
individual pets or therapy animals.
Stress reduction
Interacting
with pets has been shown to lower stress levels and promote relaxation, which
can be especially valuable for seniors dealing with the challenges of aging.
Staff at a pet friendly senior living community can help older adults provide
care for beloved furry friends when needed.
Physical activity
Having a
pet encourages regular physical activity, such as walking dogs or playing with
cats, which can help seniors stay active and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Social interaction
Pets can
serve as conversation starters, fostering connections between residents and
encouraging social interactions within the community. At pet friendly senior
living, meeting neighbors’ animals is a great way to break the ice, start
conversations and make new friends.
Routine and structure
Taking
care of a pet can establish a daily routine and provides a sense of purpose,
providing responsibility and stability.
Improved mental health
Several
studies have shown that pets boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression and
anxiety, contributing to overall mental well-being. Pet friendly senior living
provides many opportunities for residents to interact with animals, whether the
pet lives on campus, is visiting or is part of an educational presentation.
Cognitive stimulation
Interacting
with pets can stimulate cognitive functions, such as memory and problem-solving
skills, which are essential for maintaining mental sharpness in our later
years. Activities involving animals are effective in helping residents living
with dementia in pet friendly senior living.
Even if
a resident chooses not to own their own furry friend, various animal-related
activities are planned to provide opportunities for seniors to interact with
pets. Some of these activities include:
Pet therapy
Animals
certified in therapy, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and even reptiles,
visit pet friendly senior living communities to interact with residents.
Therapy animals are known for their gentle temperament and are specifically
trained to provide comfort and companionship. Residents can pet, cuddle or
simply spend time with animals.
Educational
presentations
Some pet
friendly senior living facilities invite animal experts to bring a variety of
animals such as exotic birds, reptiles, small mammals and others, for residents
to interact with and learn about.
Volunteer opportunities
Many
residents at pet friendly senior living communities enjoy supporting local
animal rescues. At Country Meadows, residents make dog biscuits for local
shelters as well as toys and treats. And residents look forward to visiting
shelters in their respective areas to donate items in person and meet shelter
residents.
Birdwatching
Regardless
of whether or not one lives at a pet friendly senior living community,
birdwatching is a fun opportunity to observe and enjoy local birds. At Country
Meadows, residents often enjoy birding walks during which experts point out
different birds, talk about their unique traits and educate residents about
local habitats.
Special activities
Pet
friendly senior living communities like Country Meadows are able to offer
unique interactions with various types of animals. At Country Meadows of
Wyomissing, residents enjoyed a therapeutic puppy yoga session, which was more
about cuddling than yoga. At the Forks in Easton location, residents spent
their Valentine’s Day receiving pooch smooches from local shelter dogs,
while at Country Meadows of Wyomissing, residents were invited to attend a doggie wedding.
Aquariums
Having
an aquarium in common areas or resident apartments can be therapeutic. Watching
colorful fish swim can be relaxing and help reduce anxiety and stress.
Aquariums often can be found regardless of whether or not a community offers
pet friendly senior living.
Pet friendly living at
Country Meadows
With research demonstrating that seniors benefit from regular animals, Country Meadows offers pet friendly senior living at each of its nine locations in Pennsylvania and one in Frederick, Maryland. Please contact us today to request information or to schedule a visit to meet our residents-human, canine, feline and avian! We look forward to meeting you.
- To view the original version of this article visit www.countrymeadows.com/blog/pet-friendly-senior-living-benefits-all-animal-lovers
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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