Your grandma’s dog goes everywhere she goes. But after a bad fall, your grandmother is moving to assisted living ASAP. You’re probably panicking right now wondering what you’re going to do with your grandma’s dog and how she’s going to cope without her beloved pet. But there’s no reason to freak out just yet: there are lots of assisted living communities where she can get the care she needs with her dog right by her side.

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Why pet-friendly assisted living is on the rise

Assisted living communities and nursing homes have long been a pet-free zone, but that’s changing. While dogs and cats were once associated with trips and falls in the older generation, Next Avenue says research is unveiling just how beneficial pets can be to senior health. Not only do dogs encourage seniors to stay active, they also fight stress, depression, and loneliness.

That’s not to say falls aren’t a concern — as MNN notes, older adults need to take precautions when living with pets, and a hyperactive puppy probably isn’t the best fit for your aging grandparents. However, the right dog can be a calming presence in seniors’ lives, not to mention a constant source of companionship.

What to look for in a pet-friendly assisted living community

If you’re taking the lead on the assisted living search, you need to know what to look for. Many senior care centers now allow furry friends with few restrictions. Sometimes, a trial run might be necessary to ensure the pet is a good fit.

When looking for assisted living, look for one with pet-friendly pluses: Does the facility have amenities like an outdoor space for dogs, walking trails, and pet-friendly common areas? Also, is there a plan for keeping your pet active if you become unable to exercise them? Bringing a pet is no fun if you have to keep it cooped up all the time, so look beyond pet policies and examine how a community supports pet ownership. On-site pet care, vaccination clinics, and therapy animal programs are all good signs!

Next (and most importantly), make sure the facility is a good fit for your loved one. Do they have amenities she’ll enjoy and are they prepared to meet her care needs? While most assisted living facilities offer the same basic services, they vary when it comes to specialties, amenities, and living environment. If your senior loved one doesn’t have long-term care insurance or enough savings to cover the cost of assisted living, you may have to sell their home to help fund their stay. When calculating potential home sale proceeds, make sure to deduct extra costs like commissions and taxes.

Helping seniors keep up with pet care

While seniors and pets make a great pair, older adults can struggle when it comes to pet care. Mobility problems and other age-related changes make it tough to keep up with exercise, grooming, and vet appointments. Luckily, there are a few easy ways you can help:

• Apply flea prevention. Preventing fleas is a must in multi-unit buildings because they can spread — not to mention make life uncomfortable for your grandparent and her dog. However, applying topical preventatives is challenging for seniors with limited dexterity. Offer to take on this chore but be sure to research before buying flea prevention to ensure you get the right kind for the pet.
• Drive to veterinary and grooming appointments. Odds are, your grandparent isn’t driving much these days, if at all. If she has an established veterinarian, offer to drive to appointments. Otherwise, look for mobile pet care services that can come to her.
• Buy pet care products that make life easier. Whether it’s an automatic water fountain, raised food and water bowls, a no-pull harness, or easy cleaning tools, the right tools make life with a dog easier for over-70s.
• Drop in for walks. Not all pet-friendly assisted living communities offer dog walking services. Even if your grandparent’s does, walking the dog is a great excuse to drop in for a visit. If your schedule is too jam-packed for dog walking duty, help search for a dog walker online.

Once your grandparent is settled into assisted living with her dog at her side, you’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief. In the meantime, there’s a lot of work to do! While finding a pet-friendly assisted living community has its challenges, helping a loved one keep their pet is the greatest gift you can give.

Image via Pexels

Cindy Aldridge
cindy@ourdogfriends.org
http://ourdogfriends.org/