Senior living communities offer great opportunities to downsize, build lasting relationships, and enjoy your retirement years. What about your furry or feathered companion? Are they allowed to come along for the journey?
Pet policies can vary from one community to the next. We believe in the value of pet ownership in our Sun City senior living community and offer pet-friendly housing to all our residents.
Why are we so devoted to our seniors and their pets? We’ve seen firsthand the impact that pets can have on senior quality of life. Read on to learn more about the benefits of pet ownership and more.
The Physical Health Benefits of Senior Pet Ownership
If there’s one thing research always supports, it’s that owning a pet can have a positive impact on your overall physical health. Let’s take a closer look at how pets keep seniors active and healthy.
Cardiovascular Improvement
The National Library of Medicine recently published a study citing the cardiovascular benefits of pet ownership for seniors. Participants with pets had:
- Reduced risk of hypertension
- Improved prognosis after myocardial infarction and stroke
- Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular problems
These results are likely linked to reduced sympathetic nervous system activity in pet owners.
Strength and Balance
Staying active is a great way to prevent muscle mass loss, practice the skills that support balance, and prevent fall risks.
According to Hopkins Medicine, simple exercises like rising from a seated position and standing can improve senior balance. Seniors with pets are likely to get up and enjoy simple movement to walk, groom, or play with their companion animals.
Step Count Support
Walking is a stress-relieving and low-impact exercise that may:
- Help with weight management
- Reduce stress
- Boost overall health
Owning a dog can incentivize seniors to get out and take short walks, increasing their daily step count. Even indoor pets can encourage seniors to take more steps during play and caretaking.
Emotional and Cognitive Health and Senior Pets
Research published by the National Library of Medicine demonstrates just how influential pets can be on senior emotional and cognitive health. Here’s a breakdown of the ways in which owning a pet can support positivity and mental sharpness.
Reduced Stress
One of the many positive findings of the study above was the impact of pets on cortisol levels.
Cortisol is a stress hormone and can impact everything from mood to sleep quality. Owning a pet (or even spending quality time with someone else’s pet) can reduce cortisol levels and, in turn, reduce reported feelings of stress.
Boosted Mood
Cortisol isn’t the only hormone the study covers. It seems that having or playing with a pet can also increase serotonin.
Serotonin is the primary hormone linked to feelings of happiness and emotional stability. By lowering cortisol and boosting serotonin, pets can keep spirits lifted in senior living communities.
Cognitive Stimulation
Psychology Today recently reported on the potential link between pet ownership and slower cognitive decline. This is in large part because pet ownership:
- Creates a routine in seniors’ day-to-day lives
- Requires problem-solving
- Gives seniors a lasting sense of purpose
This may even reduce the risk or slow the onset of dementia.
Pets and Senior Social Connections
In our Sun City senior living community, we create opportunities for socialization every single day. We’ve also seen how pets can bring residents closer and reduce loneliness. Here are some of the ways that pets encourage seniors to connect.
Easing the Transition
Moving into a new environment, even one as inviting as our Sun City senior living community, comes with challenges. Some seniors may feel overwhelmed or socially isolated upon arrival.
Moving in with a pet ensures that residents have a familiar face with them at all times. This can make the transition easier and may promote the optimism and openness that makes connecting easier.
Starting the Conversation
Sometimes, the hardest part about making a new friend is breaking the ice. How can you get a conversation started with someone you don’t yet know?
Pets give seniors a simple and accessible talking point. Sharing pictures and funny stories about pets can quickly give way to deep and meaningful conversations.
Building a Community
Why don’t we restrict pet ownership to seniors with emotional support or service animals? Our goal is to build a community, and widespread pet ownership can help.
Seniors with pets already have something significant in common. Building a community is simple when you have shared interests and priorities, and pet owners are passionate about pet care and animal welfare.
What to Know About Pets and Sun City Senior Living
If you’re moving into a retirement community in Sun City with your beloved pet, there are a few things you’ll need to know. Here are two important things to consider before you make the transition.
Pet Policies and Guidelines
A flexible pet policy is not one of the senior living amenities you can count on anywhere you go. Before you pick a retirement community, make sure that they allow pets.
Furthermore, find out what rules and regulations are in place. For example, some communities may have restrictions regarding the size or number of pets residents can have.
Pet Care Needs
What if you don’t currently have a pet but you’d like to adopt one? Before you do, make sure to consider things like:
- Energy levels associated with certain breeds or ages
- Financial responsibilities
- Health history
For seniors adopting a new pet, we recommend adult cats or dogs with good health records. Make sure you meet your potential companion animal in person before adopting them to make sure they’re a good personality match.
Looking for a Pet-Friendly Senior Living Community?
We’ve seen firsthand what research supports: pets have a great impact on senior health, both physical and mental. That’s why we offer pet-friendly Sun City senior living.
Aston Gardens at Sun City Center is a vibrant senior living community for seniors who are still largely independent and want more from their retirement years. Our exclusive programs ensure that there’s something for everyone, from pet owners looking for a nice walking path to hobbyists looking to join social clubs.
Schedule a tour to find out if we’re the right home for you and your pet.
