All around the world older people turn to pets for
love and companionship. If you know of a senior who is alone and
lonely, or who needs a good excuse to get outside every day, a pet
can be a perfect solution.
While there are certainly positives for older people who own and
love their pets, there are also some serious potential problems.
Before you encourage an older person to get a pet, here are some
important things to consider:
The Plusses of Pets
for Seniors
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Pets Provide Love and Companionship
Even if they've had a disagreement with their owners, pets live
for the moment and don't hold grudges. They may sulk for a moment,
and then they return for more love. Pets will listen, no matter
how repetitive we are. They make us feel needed and give us a
reason to get up every morning. Many studies have shown that
simply touching or holding a pet can reduce blood pressure and
create a sense of well-being in the elderly.
Responsibility and Staying Active
Feeding, grooming, and exercising with a pet - either indoors or
outdoors - keeps a senior active and moving. Taking the dog out
for a walk offers the opportunity to meet other people while
getting much-needed sunshine and exercise. Dogs like to stop and
make the acquaintance of every new smell they meet. This exposes
their seniors to stimulating new sights, sounds and smells, too.
The Downside of Pets
for Seniors
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Pets Create Additional Expenses
Many older people are living on very limited incomes. They cannot
manage the additional costs of food and veterinary care on a tight
budget.
Pets Can Tie You Down
A senior who finally has the freedom to travel may not want the
worry of having to make arrangements for a pet. Seniors who can't
afford to hire a pet sitter or pay for boarding may become more
homebound than they would like because of their pets.
Seniors Worry About a Pet's Future
Quite a few seniors do not want another pet because they worry
that they will become ill and not be able to care for their pet.
They worry that their pet may not be able to come along if they
have to move to a different living situation. Older people have
also already experienced many losses in their lives. Some do not
want to worry about the possible pain of another loss should their
pet one day die.
Before You Encourage
Your Senior to
Adopt a Pet
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You may think a new pet would be an excellent
idea for your senior. Before you push the idea too strongly, talk
it over together. Let your senior make the final choice about
whether or not to adopt a pet. Will he or she be able to give a
new pet the proper care and attention? Will the expense of
bringing a pet home be something your elder can afford? Does your
senior truly enjoy animals? Does your senior want to take on a
commitment that could last many years at this time in his or her
life?
Resist the impulse to get your senior a pet as a surprise unless
you're ready to take the animal home with you. Whether to get a
new pet or not must ultimately be your older person's personal
decision.
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