Are you or an older loved one in Boca Raton, Florida, a pet owner, which, according to Dogster.com, applies to 12.5 million folks in the state? Are you also looking to transition to pet-friendly assisted living in this picturesque city, famed for its stunning beaches, miles of hiking paths, incredible scenery, and small-town charm with quick access to Miami’s big-city amenities just 45 miles away?
If so, you won’t have to look far and wide. Our charming, welcoming retirement village, Veranda Club, is at your service.
So, if you’ve been worrying that transitioning to assisted living means parting with your pet, you no longer have to. We not only tolerate pets; we cherish and celebrate them.
To that end, we created this guide to assisted living with pets in Boca Raton. Read on to discover their many benefits to seniors and why we promote their ownership and care.
Animal Companions Can Help Prevent Loneliness and Isolation in Seniors
Loneliness is a feeling or state of being alone or isolated. Social isolation, on the other hand, is the lack or absence of social contact and support.
A Quick Word on Loneliness and Isolation
According to the U.S. CDC, one in three U.S. adults feels lonely, while about a quarter lack social and emotional support. The organization further states that older adults face higher risks of experiencing both, as well as their consequences, including an increased risk of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dementia
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
Pets to the Rescue
One of the many positive associations between senior living and animal companionship is that the latter can help keep older adults from feeling lonely and becoming isolated. After all, animal companions offer unconditional love and a constant presence that can give them a sense of feeling needed. They’re also loyal sources of comfort, acting as non-judgmental listeners for sharing worries.
Whether dogs or cats, these animals are all excellent emotional support pets for seniors.
An article published in PetHealthNetwork also says that a study has shown pets can cheer up seniors experiencing loneliness and can enhance their quality of life. The researchers found that older adults who live with pets are 36% less likely to experience loneliness than those without pets.
For the same reasons, Veranda Club encourages soon-to-be residents to bring their beloved furry family members with them.
But what about existing residents who wish to own an animal companion and live with them in our cat-welcoming, dog-friendly retirement community? If so, fostering and adoption are ideal options. Chesed Foundation (Dog and Cat Rescue) is a non-profit animal organization just 8 miles from Veranda Club that seniors may want to consider reaching out to.
Pets in Assisted Living Can Help Promote Better Physical Wellness
Responsible pet owners, especially of dogs, know how crucial exercise is to their furry family members’ health. So, it’s no wonder that pet-owning individuals, including older adults, have a higher likelihood of being and staying physically active. After all, they tend to exercise with their animal companions.
For example, a meta-analysis published in the scientific journal Frontiers found the following positive connections between pets and older adults:
- Compared to non-dog owners, dog-owning adults aged 50 and older were less likely to be sedentary (spend their time seated)
- Adults 50+ who owned a dog were more likely to get the recommended levels of weekly physical activity
- Regular dog walking appears to have an association with less frequent visits to the doctor and fewer restrictions on activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Dog owners tend to take more walks and walk farther than non-dog owners
- Dog ownership seems to encourage increased frequency and regularity of participating in moderate and vigorous exercise due to dog walking activities
So, by owning pets and caring for them (i.e., ensuring they get adequate exercise), older adults are more likely to lead active, engaged lifestyles, too. As a result, they may also see improvements in their physical health and well-being.
Veranda Club further encourages seniors to stay active with their pets through our robust and dynamic calendar of daily activities and events. And as proof of our recognition of pets’ benefits to older adults, we regularly hold on-site pet therapies!
Furry Family Members Are Excellent for Mental Health
Senior mental health encompasses older adults’ psychological, social, and emotional well-being. It influences how people act, feel, and think, affecting their ability to interact with others and cope with stress.
As people age, though, many aspects of their mental health can decline, such as due to living alone or losing loved ones. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems like anxiety and depression, social isolation, stress-related memory loss, and even dementia.
Fortunately, Boca Raton seniors can keep their mental health in check with the help of their beloved furry family members. Their pets’ unconditional love and attention can already make them feel happy. Pets may even contribute to dementia prevention and slow down cognitive decline, says the American Psychiatric Association!
Animal companions also create opportunities for socialization, which can help combat isolation and loneliness. For instance, as mentioned above, there’s a link between pet ownership and increased physical activity. By motivating seniors to exercise more, especially in the majestic outdoors of Boca Raton, pets can encourage them to mingle and interact with other humans.
At Veranda Club, our pet-friendly assisted living community has many amenities that foster socialization among residents with and without pets.
For instance, we have beautifully landscaped outdoor entertainment spaces. Here, seniors can exercise, play, or relax with their pets, neighbors, and other residents. Our regular pet therapies, daily activities, and engaging events are also perfect opportunities to socialize.
Age Gracefully in Our Pet-Friendly Assisted Living Enclave
At Veranda Club, we recognize the immense value and importance that animal companions bring to older adults. As such, we’ve taken steps to ensure that our senior living community provides access to high-quality, compassionate, pet-friendly assisted living where both aging adults and their furry family members feel welcomed, loved, and cherished.
From spacious, well-appointed senior apartment homes to a robust activity and event calendar (inclusive of pet therapy!) and pet-friendly spaces, we offer all these and more in our Boca Raton, FL, retirement village. Give us a call today to schedule a tour and learn more about how we can help you age gracefully with your pet!
