The benefits of pet parenthood can be even greater for people in their senior years. Having a pet helps older people engage in higher levels of physical activity. It can lower their levels of stress and offer a sense of purpose and companionship.
However, the effort and care that pets require, may necessitate some assistance.
If your ageing parent lives with a pet or is considering adopting an animal, there are ways you can help out to ensure they receive all the benefits of having a pet’s love and company — but aren’t overwhelmed when it comes to the day-to-day care of their pet.
Here’s how you can help:
The first step in assessing how you can help an ageing parent with pet care is to have a conversation.
Asking the right questions can help you determine where they may need support, such as matching their pet’s energy levels and need for physical exercise or transporting their pet to the vet’s office or grooming appointments.
In some cases, your questions could be met with some resistance or you may need to bring up the topic again. Check in regularly to ask your parent about how their pet is doing.
If you approach the conversation starting with an inquiry about the animal’s happiness and well-being, you may find that your parent is more willing to accept the assistance they need.
Some seniors may not want to inconvenience family members by asking for regular help but will be open to hiring a dog walker, an in-home groomer, or a vet who makes house calls.
Look into ways that your parent’s pet routine can be simplified by hiring the kind of help that eliminates some of the heavy lifting associated with pet parenthood (especially the literal heavy lifting of bags of kibble or cat litter).
Often valuable help can be as simple as marking a senior’s calendar with the dates their pet needs to take flea and tick medication, or going online to order their regular supply of pet food for delivery.
The level of assistance a parent might require will be dictated by their own physical and mental health as well as the type of pet they have. Helping your parents meet a current pet’s needs or helping them choose a new pet to suit their lifestyle and abilities, means they will be able to enjoy the many benefits of pet parenthood well into their senior years.
As your parents age their needs may change. Having a pet care plan in place that coincides with their wishes for their pet is a good idea in case of unforeseen emergencies or if sudden changes occur in their life.
It’s a smart strategy to keep key information on hand so you — or someone else your parent trusts — can step in to support them when something unexpected happens.
For example, if your parent requires a hospital stay to address a medical condition, you’ll want to know things like the pet’s designated veterinarian, their feeding routine, and who might be able to step in to pet sit if you’re busy caring for an ill or immobile parent.
Other things to consider researching on behalf of an ageing parent are local volunteer assistance programs that help seniors with pets, as well as assisted living facilities that allow residents to keep their animals. Discuss these options with your parents and have a plan in place that prioritizes the health and happiness of both pet and pet parent.
Navigating pet parenthood in your 50’s and beyond
From the health and wellness benefits to older people of having a pet to navigating animal care in emergency or decreased mobility scenarios, this is a fulsome guide to senior pet parenthood.
Health and wellness benefits for pet parents over 50
In addition to the love and joy they bring to our lives, there are actually proven health benefits benefits to loving and caring for a dog, cat or other beloved animal
What to ask if you’re over the age of 50 and getting a pet
As people get older, sometimes the type of pet that’s right for them evolves. From different dog breeds, to cats and other small animals, consider these options as an older pet parent.
