How Do Companion Pets Benefit Seniors?

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How Your Loved One Can Benefit from Pet Ownership in Amarillo, TX

Whether your senior loved one could use a companion or seems to be lacking a sense of purpose, owning a pet can provide many benefits. Here are some reasons you may want to consider a pet for your loved one. 

Companionship 

If you can’t be around all the time, your loved one might benefit from having a cat, dog, or other pet in the home. Having a pet can ease feelings of loneliness and depression in the elderly. Pets are family members seniors can spend time with and even talk to, which helps aging adults feel as though they’re never really alone. 

Owning a pet is just one of the many ways seniors can enjoy socialization and prevent isolation. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

Stress Relief 

If your loved one needs relief from anxiety or stress, having a pet around can help him or her feel more relaxed. Simply petting a dog or cat can have a calming effect on a senior and doesn’t require much effort.

Better Health 

Pets offer important health benefits for seniors. Being around a pet can lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart disease and other illnesses. Having a dog can also help your loved one stay in shape and get fresh air by going for daily walks. 

Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Amarillo, TX, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.

Increased Responsibility

Having pets to care for can help seniors maintain a sense of purpose, leading to an overall higher quality of life. It also keeps cognitive skills in good condition, since seniors have to focus on performing certain tasks to care for their pets. 

Greater Safety 

Seniors who live alone might worry about home safety. Having dogs around may ease their fear of intruders, especially at night. Knowing your loved one has a dog to keep him or her safe and deter intruders can also give you peace of mind. 

Although owning a pet provides a variety of benefits, some seniors have serious medical issues that prohibit them from being able to care for companion animals. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of elderly home care. Amarillo Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (806) 803-9991 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.

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