There’s no denying the sense of joy that comes from playing with an energetic puppy or stroking the soft fur of a fluffy cat. However, seniors sometimes hesitate about taking on the responsibility of owning a pet. While adopting a pet affects daily routines, you’ll find it’s worth it when your aging loved one begins to enjoy the following advantages of opening his or her home and heart to a new furry friend.
Wake Up Happy
The first few minutes when your loved one wakes up have a major effect on the rest of the day. Seniors sometimes have difficult mornings, especially if they experience incontinence or chronic pain. With a pet near your loved one’s side, he or she may quickly transition into the day with more joy. Hearing the soft purr of a cat or getting a good-morning lick on the hand from a dog could instantly provide a sense of happiness that lingers for hours.
Minimize the Effects of Isolation
Although you may try to fill your loved one’s days with social opportunities, he or she likely spends many hours alone. Pets ease the effects of isolation, since they’re always up for interaction. Whether your loved one talks to the pet throughout the day or enjoys the physical sensation of it cuddling on his or her lap, he or she will never feel alone with a pet in the house.
Even seniors who can care for pets may require assistance with certain daily tasks. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Promote Sticking to a Routine
With most animals, pet care is fairly simple, and older adults can manage things such as feeding and grooming. However, pet care is also best done on a routine, and your loved one benefits from doing things at regular times, such as putting out food for the cat. Your loved one can also tie these daily events to other necessary tasks. For example, taking medication before feeding the dog may help your parent remember this important part of the day.
With the passage of time, seniors can become dependent upon their caregivers to formulate their routines and remind them to take their medications on time. In Barrie, in-home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Get Inspired to Stay Active
As a general rule, active older adults tend to be the healthiest. However, even the most avid athlete requires motivation to get up and move on certain days. When the dog is jumping at the door or the cat is begging to be played with, your loved one will be inspired to get out of the chair and go have some fun. Over time, the extra walks or ball tosses add up to more exercise that benefits your loved one’s health.
Enjoy a Greater Sense of Purpose
Everyone needs a reason to live, and seniors may feel like they’re less important to their communities after retirement. Adopting a pet from a shelter lets your loved one know he or she can do things to make the world a better place. Seniors are often the ideal caregivers for older pets or those with special needs, since they have more time to devote to pet care. Recognizing how his or her actions make the world a better place may give your loved one a greater sense of emotional wellbeing.
While adopting a pet can be a good way to boost overall health, seniors often need help with their daily routines, and family caregivers don’t always have the time to provide the assistance their loved ones need. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Barrie, ON, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. To create a customized care plan for your loved one, call us at 647-970-3803 today.