Blog

According to a recent poll conducted by the University of Michigan, approximately 55 percent of US adults between 50 and 80 years of age share their home and life with a pet. Whether it’s for companionship, stress relief, or social connection, the benefits of pet ownership are vast, especially among older adults.

If you’re one of these seniors who shares their home with one or more animal companions, your golden years probably wouldn’t be complete without a furry friend by your side. If you’re preparing to downsize your home and move into an assisted living community, however, you may be struggling to find a pet-friendly facility that meets your budget and lifestyle. For tips that will help you to find the perfect assisted living community for you and your pet, read on!

How to Find Pet-Friendly Senior Communities

Finding an assisted living facility that meets your budget, location preferences, and lifestyle is no easy feat — and it’s even more challenging when you’re looking for a community that accepts pets. Some assisted living facilities prohibit all animal companions, while others restrict pets of certain species, breeds, temperaments, and sizes. You may also need to pay a security deposit for your animal companion and present proof of your pet’s recent vaccinations.

With a bit of digging on your part, you’ll find the right assisted living community for you and your furry friend — whether you share your life with one or more dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, ferrets, or any other animal. Here’s how to do it:

1. Search for pet-friendly communities. Begin your search online to find pet-friendly communities within your desired area.
2. Ask plenty of questions. Contact the facility directly to ask about its pet policies, including whether the community has any size, breed, or number restrictions.
3. Tour several communities. Tour several communities to determine whether the outdoor space and apartment size will accommodate you and your pet’s needs.
4. Scope out the local area. Depending on your pet’s breed, size, species, and age, you may need to live within close proximity to a dog park or veterinary office.

Caring for Your Pet and New Home

Once you find a pet-friendly assisted living community that fits your budget and lifestyle, you may choose to simplify things by having pet food and supplies delivered to your home — especially if you don’t have a vehicle. A grocery delivery service could also be helpful to you and your animal companion if you can purchase many of your pet’s favorite foods from local grocers or retailers like Walmart or Amazon. If you’re living on a limited income, however, keep in mind that a variety of resources are available to assist you in caring for your pet.

Moreover, it’s important to find a savvy veterinarian to care for your animal companion, especially if you’ve moved to a new area and can no longer see your former vet. If you don’t live near a veterinary office, you may be able to find a mobile veterinarian who makes house calls.

In addition to feeding and caring for your pet, keeping your new apartment clean is vital to your health and well-being. According to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), brushing your furry friend several times per week is key to managing the amount of hair you’ll find throughout your home and reducing your pet’s risk of developing health problems over time. To keep fur and shedding hair under control between major apartment cleanings, you may also choose to invest in a new robot vacuum, as these devices can help to eliminate allergens and remove loose litter, pet food, hair, fur, and dander from your home. If you suffer from mobility issues, chronic pain, or arthritis, a good robot vacuum will be especially helpful to you.

Enjoy Your New Home

Once you’ve found the perfect assisted living community for you and your pet, you can finally sit back and enjoy your new home. Transitioning into assisted living can feel overwhelming, but your beloved animal companion will be there for you as you settle into your new home together.

Guest Author: James Hall

www.seniorcarefitness.com