With the increased awareness of the importance of a pet-friendly environment in memory care, these institutions have made a big effort to develop programs and resources for residents with pets. By becoming more accommodating to the needs of both residents and their beloved animals, senior-friendly independent living communities are able to create optimal conditions for everyone involved.
People With Dementia Can Be Less Agitated
People with dementia often have many symptoms that can be difficult for families and caregivers to manage. One of these symptoms is agitation when a person becomes irritated or upset by something in their environment or surroundings. This can make them anxious, angry, frustrated, and even violent. It’s estimated that up to 80% of all patients living in memory care have some form of agitation at any given time – which means that team members need to constantly keep an eye out for signs of this behavior so they can intervene quickly before things escalate out of control! Having access to pets can help calm them down and alleviate some of the symptoms of their disease.
It Helps Patients Stay Active And Engaged
Pets can be a great motivator for patients. They keep them active and engaged, which is important in maintaining healthy aging. Pets can also help with socialization, physical activity and mental stimulation.
With pets present in the community, residents are more likely to take part in activities that encourage them to get up and move around or interact with others (e.g., walking through the halls with their dog). Pets may also provide an opportunity for patients who don’t speak English fluently or have difficulty communicating verbally due to cognitive impairment by providing comfort through nonverbal cues like cuddling or playing games together (such as fetch).
A study by the University of Missouri found that people who lived alone were less likely to develop depression if they had a pet in their home. Pets can also be a great source of comfort for people with dementia, especially when they feel lonely or anxious.
Pets Help Seniors Feel Needed
Aging family members with dementia can feel isolated and lonely, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and even psychosis. Pets provide comfort and companionship to aging family members who may otherwise be without human contact for long periods. By having a pet in their life, they’ll know that someone loves them unconditionally no matter what happens or how they feel at any given moment.
Help To Boost Physical Health And Emotional Well-Being
Pets also offer physical benefits: dogs can help with physical therapy after an injury; cats often purr when stroked, which is known to lower blood pressure; and even birds have been shown to reduce stress levels in nursing home residents!
In addition to these benefits of companionship and comfort, pets offer emotional support humans cannot always provide on their own. When someone has lost their sense of self-worth due to memory loss or other cognitive issues, having something else around them-an animal-can be comforting because it reminds them that they still possess some degree of control over their environment (and therefore themselves). The mere presence of an animal can help remind someone who has forgotten their name where they live or what day it is; if needed, further assistance like this becomes available through therapy sessions, then so much the better!
Enhanced Participation In Activity Programs
When you bring your pet to the community, they can participate in many activities. The residents can take their pets for walks and play with them. This helps the residents feel more involved and connected with their pets, which can reduce feelings of loneliness or depression.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a place to care for your loved one, consider looking into pet-friendly memory care communities. These communities offer residents the chance to bring their pets with them so they can keep their routines and stay connected with friends and family members who visit often.
