When looking for senior living homes for yourself or your loved one, whether a family pet is allowed may be a deciding factor in your choice. At Discovery Village At Southlake, our residents are encouraged to make their senior living as comfortable as possible, and if you have a four-legged friend that can help, they are considered family here.
Benefits of Pet Ownership for Your Loved Ones
Although our wonderful living community gives our residents more peace of mind, a change in living environment can also bring changes to other areas of one’s life. As an emotional response to adapting, some residents may start having feelings of anxiety or loneliness. Caring for pets is an excellent way to combat this issue, and could be one of the best things you can do for yourself in your golden years for the following reasons:
- Staying Active
Like everyone else, it is just as important for you or your loved ones to stay physically active. On days where you might not be motivated to go on your daily stroll, having the responsibility to take your pet out on a walk will certainly get you moving.
- Pets can provide emotional support
Some of your family members may start feeling lonely or anxious while trying their best to adapt to an unfamiliar environment and lifestyle, which is where caring for pets come in. A little friend can help to provide a sense of security and increase overall mood and mental health, which will add to their quality of life.
- Making new friends
Making friends can happen at any age, and sometimes the best friendships emerge from the most random of encounters. For some people, having a pet helps as conversation starters between owners which can spark new, lasting friendships.
Best Pet Breeds for Your Loved Ones
For you or your loved ones who are advanced in years, it is better to care for older pets as opposed to puppies or kittens. They are typically better trained, obey commands, are housebroken, and can walk well on a leash. As for dog breeds, you may want to consider these: Shih Tzu, Poodle, Maltese, French Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Pembroke Walsh Corgi.
If you’re a cat person, these breeds may be what you’re looking for: Ragdoll, Russian Blue, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, Persian, and Burmilla.
No matter which type of pet you choose to care for, consider one that you can maintain and care for on your own or with minimal aid.
What to Consider Before Bringing a Pet to a Retirement Community
Before you or your loved one’s transition to living in a senior living community, we recommend planning ahead and asking yourself a few questions such as whether your pet is well-behaved or trained. If it has a history of biting and jumping on people or being aggressive and loud, it may lead to complaints. Another question to ponder over will be the care of your pet on the long term. What happens if you or your loved ones find it too much of a burden to care for it? It is important to be realistic about the responsibility of caring for a pet and preparing a plan in case you can no longer properly care for it.
Why Choose Discovery Village At Southlake’s Retirement Community?
At Discovery Village, we understand that pets are family. Whether you are looking for independent living or require more care throughout assisted living services, all our senior apartments are pet-friendly.
If you want to learn more about our pet-friendly senior living apartments, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
