Pets and Seniors
Information and advice about the benefits and challenges of involving a pet in the life of an older adult for companionship, improved health and overall wellbeing.
Explore our expert articles as well as the advice of other caregivers who have experience with the benefits and risks of pet ownership for seniors.
Explore our expert articles as well as the advice of other caregivers who have experience with the benefits and risks of pet ownership for seniors.
Pets Articles
The Healing Power of Pets for Seniors
Owning a pet can bring elders a tremendous amount of joy and a renewed sense of purpose. No matter the type of animal, pets can have a beneficial impact on both an older adult’s mental and physical health.
30 CommentsHow to Pick a Pet for a Senior Citizen
Animals make wonderful companions for aging individuals. Use these pointers to ensure a senior is up for pet ownership in order to match them with the perfect new furry friend.
10 CommentsWhy a Visiting Pet Program Would Be Perfect for Seniors
The connection between people and pets is undeniable, but seniors may not be able to safely care for an animal on their own. Here's my solution.
19 CommentsWhat Happens When a Senior Can No Longer Care for Their Pet?
Pets provide much-needed companionship to people of all ages, especially seniors. But when elderly pet owners find themselves unable to take care of their animals, rehoming is often the best course of action.
14 Comments
Pets Questions
Mom’s cat needs to be put to sleep. Mom has advanced dementia. Is it better to tell her or not?
16 AnswersDaughterof1930 Answered Mar 24, 2024How to get in assisted living if 89 yr old mind good except lives in a terrible nasty house? She hoards things, hardly room to walk.
4 AnswersAlvaDeer Answered Mar 17, 2024How to lovingly encourage the difficult decision to put down the family dog?
9 AnswersFawnby Answered Feb 25, 2024Parents live in squalor and kids need advice on where to start to, I don't know, make last days better? Cleanlier?
28 AnswersCaringWifeAZ Answered Feb 20, 2024
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Pets Discussions
Dog discussion thread.
9 Commentspamzimmrrt Commented Mar 28, 2024You CAN keep your dog or cat when you enter assisted living!
7 CommentsRebeca1 Commented Dec 20, 2023I’ve had many ‘awful’ comments about my attitude to feral cats.
28 CommentsHopeforhelp22 Commented Feb 2023Anyone's dog suffering as a result of caring for someone with this disease?
12 CommentsLbdSlainWarrior Commented Feb 2023
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Pets Related Topics
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Care Decisions
- Dementia Behaviors
- Burnout
- Cognitive Decline
- Memory Loss
- New to Caregiving
- Working Caregiver
- Long-distance Caregiving
- Humor
- Signs of Dementia
- Cancer
- Adult Day Care
- Aging in Place
- Home Modification
- Caregiving
- Early Onset Alzheimer's
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Sundowner's Syndrome
- Violent Behavior