Where to Look for Senior Pet Care Assistance
Seniors’ physical and emotional well-being can be greatly enhanced by having pets. They can help decrease blood pressure, reduce stress, and develop a feeling of responsibility in addition to offering priceless companionship.
Pets for seniors do have numerous advantages, but there are drawbacks as well. The expense of keeping a pet while on a fixed income is one barrier, particularly in light of the growing expense of veterinary care.
The advantages of dogs and cats for elderly people
Although AARP reported that 72% of seniors in poor health or living alone feel dogs help them cope with their mental and physical ailments, loneliness and isolation remain regrettably frequent among adults over 60. This view is supported by scientific research, which demonstrates the health advantages of pets for older citizens, including their capacity to keep them active, give priceless companionship, and enhance their general well-being.
Exercise
Having a pet might help you develop a healthy fitness regimen because most dog breeds need one or two walks every day. Seniors who walk their dogs on a regular basis can greatly improve their bone strength, heart health, ability to control their weight, etc. Doctor visits decrease when physical health improves.
Friendship
By adding a little sunshine to an otherwise gloomy day, companionship helps lonely elders feel less alone. Seniors can maintain their social engagement in public life by taking their dogs to the vet, grocery, or park. Dogs can help owners maintain social relationships with others as they get older. Additionally, a pet can provide security against theft, which can help elders feel more secure.
Mental well-being
Having a pet can make elderly individuals happier by giving their lives more meaning and purpose. It has been demonstrated that caring for an animal may alter hormone levels, which lowers stress and anxiety. Additionally, interacting with animals causes the brain to release serotonin, which reduces blood pressure and improves one’s perspective on life.
The difficulties of pet ownership for senior citizens
Seniors who own pets enjoy many well-established advantages, but owing to financial and physical limitations, caring for a dog or cat can get more difficult as people age. Many retirees have limited funds and a fixed salary, leaving little room for a pet budget. According to study, 63% of persons 65 and older report having at least two chronic health issues that often raise living expenses, and over 4.9 million of them live in poverty.
In such situations, it can be difficult for seniors to maintain food on the table for themselves while still paying for the food, veterinarian care, and immunizations of their pets. When all costs are taken into account, having a dog for the first year might cost up to $2,000, or $1,174 for cats. These figures are predicated on the pet not experiencing an unforeseen medical emergency or illness, which may quickly drive up the total cost of pet ownership by thousands of dollars. In the absence of pet insurance, the owner would be entirely liable for these expenses out of pocket, in addition to the price of any necessary follow-up treatment for their pet.
The continuous treatment of a cat’s chronic arthritis or a dog inadvertently getting into an elderly person’s tramadol prescription are a few of instances. Pets may get sick or hurt in a million different ways, and none of them are predictable. Because of this, pet owners of all ages frequently find themselves in a precarious financial situation in the case of a costly catastrophe, leading them to look for ways to pay for the care of their beloved companion without endangering their livelihood and financial stability.
How to locate older adults who need help with pet care
Seniors need the affection and company of pets, and dogs deserve the best care. Thankfully, elderly pet owners have access to financial resources that allow for both outcomes. To make sure you or a loved one can age with a four-legged companion by their side, here are some methods to get pet care assistance for the elderly.
The neighbors
In addition to setting up an online subscription for food delivery, neighbors may assist with picking up and moving bulky pet food or cat litter. A neighbor can volunteer to walk the dog if the elderly pet owner needs assistance receiving the kind of exercise they are accustomed to.