Pet Therapy: Can it Cure Your Senior Parent’s Loneliness?
It doesn’t take a lot of scientific evidence and big research reports for all of us to know that pets make humans feel better. Anyone who’s been snuggled by a dog or cuddled up to by a cat knows this instinctively. The pet-human bond is therapeutic for both sides.
One of the most persistent problems for seniors is loneliness. After all, they may have lost a spouse, one or more friends, and their family is fully engaged in the day-to-day effort of making a living, raising children, and advancing their careers – all activities that the senior has long finished and left behind.
The benefits of a furry companion for most seniors are life-changing:
- Walking a dog is great cardiovascular exercise
- Brushing, feeding, and caring for a pet gives a senior mild activity and a way to stay engaged
- Pets make seniors feel needed and that feeling translates to a sense of purpose and self-worth
While the senior years can be lonely years, the pets offer unconditional love, an opportunity to socialize, and a renewed interest in getting exercise and being healthy.
In the past, a move to an assisted living facility meant giving up this important bond, but no longer. Many senior care facilities in New Jersey are pet-friendly or offer pet therapy – visits by pets.
At Adult Care Advisors, we can help you find pet-friendly assisted living facilities (if your senior still has a beloved pet or plans to adopt one). We can also recommend facilities that offer regular pet therapy programs for those who don’t want the responsibilities of a pet but still want the attention and love.
Get in touch with our team of adult care experts today for a list of pet-friendly assisted living facilities or those that provide pet therapy in New Jersey.