Are pets allowed in senior living communities? The notion of leaving a beloved companion behind when you move into a retirement community might be agonizing. The good news is that many retirement communities allow residents to bring their pets as they recognize the importance of letting residents do so. Life is full of changes and one of the most significant transitions for many people is the move from living at home to senior living communities. Many people have lived independently in their own homes for decades, so this transition has its own set of difficulties. Having your pets around can make things more reassuring.
Pet Ownership in the U.S.
Allowing pets in retirement communities is a wise move. It not only eases the transition for older adults leaving their home for a retirement community, but it also reflects the reality of pet ownership in the U.S.:
- 35% of households keep a cat
- 44% of households keep a dog
It makes no sense to make residents give up a treasured companion as part of the transition to a retirement community. Bringing a pet not only eases the adjustment from living at home to living in a communal environment, but it also provides health advantages for older adults. This is the fundamental reason that many retirement communities around the country have begun to accept pets.
Benefits of Pets
Whether your pet is a service animal that provides important help or a cherished member of the family, research has shown that pet-friendly retirement communities do more than just make the transition easier for residents. Those who bring a pet to a retirement community are often happier, healthier, and live longer. Pets allow older adults to have a sense of purpose in their everyday lives, let them easily connect with other people in their community, and provide them with a reason to be active every day.
The presence of a pet in a pet-friendly community can help decrease triglycerides and cholesterol by keeping residents active while walking their pets. Those with memory impairment tend to be happier when they have a pet with them, and studies have indicated that older adults who have a pet have a greater survival rate after a heart attack.
Pet-Friendly Communities
Most retirement communities now allow pets, and some have taken it a step farther by accepting both individual and community pets. In such cases, the retirement communities have a number of community pets accessible for social interaction with residents and participation in therapeutic courses to aid individuals who do not have their own pets in realizing the benefits of a human-pet bond.
Choose Discovery Village At Dominion
At Discovery Village At Dominion, we strive to provide our residents with convenience and comfort so that they may live a healthy, meaningful life. Residents with pets are invited to bring their pets to our world-class senior living environment. We realize how animals are like family to our residents. Residents may look forward to retiring with their beloved pets as well as new friends here.
