“The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.”
– Charles de Gaulle
We, at Collier Home Care, agree with those who believe that pets can be great companions! They are often considered to be part of the family and are said to provide health and mental/emotional benefits. Undoubtedly, Pets can have a significant and positive impact on a senior’s quality of life.
In 2018, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging sampled adults 50-80 years of age on the benefits and challenges of taking care of a pet – 88% said their pets helped them enjoy life, 86% said that their pets made them feel loved, and 79% said their pets helped reduce stress. According to A Place for Mom, pet ownership can improve a senior’s physical health and mental and emotional well-being.
Physical Health Benefits May Include:
- Lower blood pressure: the simple act of petting an animal can lead to lowering your blood pressure.
- Increased life expectancy: caring for a pet can produce many health benefits that often lead to a longer and healthier life.
- Greater mobility: walking a pet regularly is great exercise!
- Heart attack recovery: seniors who own a dog or cat were found to recover quicker after a heart attack.
- Pain relief: a study from Loyola University found that seniors engaged in pet therapy required significantly less medication for pain.
Mental And Emotional Health Benefits May Include:
- Reduced loneliness: companionship from an animal can be very comforting!
- Reduced stress: having a pet around often makes you feel better and reduces stress.
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s: pets have been known to calm someone struggling with Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Increased confidence: a study from Miami University found that pet owners have higher self-esteem.
- Social interaction: pets and more specifically dogs have helped their owners meet new people and interact generally more with others.
However, there may come a time when you still benefit from the unconditional love from a pet but are unable to regularly walk or care for the pet. That’s where Collier Home Care can help – not only can we help you, but we can also help care for your pet – and the caregiver who comes to your home will love caring for animals!
Here Are Some Ways We Can Help You:
- Help with standby or hands-on assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, walking/mobility, transferring, feeding, grooming, and continence.
- Grocery shopping and meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Medication reminding or assistance with self-administration of medication
Please click here to view a broader list of home health care services.
Here Are Some Ways We Can Help Your Pet:
- Feed your pet and supply with fresh water
- Go for a walk with your pet and you (if possible!)
- Clean up after your pet
- Play with your pet
- Shopping for pet food
- Grooming your pet
Asking for someone to lend a hand can be hard to do, but it’s important. Oftentimes seniors will call us when they want to stay safely, securely, and independently in their home, and this often involves some degree of care for a pet.
Depending on what you need, Collier Home Care offers between one and 24 hours a day service, plus live-in care. It is our pleasure to care for you, your family, your loved ones, and your pets!
If we can help with home health care services or determine an appropriate level of care, call us at (239) 920-3902 or reach us here.