BY: Caroline Bell
Research shows that owning a pet improves a senior’s overall quality of life by providing physical, emotional and social benefits. Even occasional interactions with animals in a long-term care setting can enhance residents’ mood and behavior.
Caroline Bell, an aging life professional and avid animal lover has experience with seniors and their pets and shares some suggestions she uses with her clients who have pets. While Bell recommends seniors own senior pets vs seniors getting a young dog or puppy. Senior pets are less rambunctious-she also says senior dogs are harder to adopt into homes, so you are truly saving a dog’s life. Bell says that on all her client calls who have a pet she asks the owner who will take care of your pet when you pass? They always name a family member. Bell has done this long enough and had to rescue herself her senior dogs which she no longer can do. She will ask the family member if they are going to take the dog? The answer usually is (always) no I am not going to take her dog but you can’t tell her that. The family pet is always at risk of being sent to a shelter or being euthanized and that is not what a senior wants. So being the advocate she is for both animals and pets she will talk to her client and explain the best thing to do is not rely on a family member so let’s plan for your pet today and put it in writing.
Unfortunately, friends or relatives often don’t get involved until there is a tragedy of sorts. Bell deals with these frequently. If the elder already owns a pet, try to put a support system in place before something bad happens. Family members may be able to find volunteers, neighbors or pet sitters/walkers for a small fee to help. Local animal rescue groups may be of help. Bell recommends that seniors plan to find a family member who will be willing to take care of the pet, either temporarily or permanently. Almost all long-term care communities, if they don’t allow residents to keep pets, allow pets to visit if they have their vaccination records, so seniors should choose a family member who lives nearby and can bring the pet to visit.
If you’re a caregiver for an older person, or older yourself, and considering getting a pet or already have a pet, you’ll want to read this. Bell said. Bell also suggests that seniors should consider designating a caregiver to come in and not only care for them but also help with the pet like going to vet, walking, grooming, keeping nails trimmed.
How To Plan Ahead For Your Pet
Identify assisted living facilities that accept pets. Some communities will but not all will accept pets. So, plan and while you are looking for a place for you in the future ask about the pet policy. Identify a close family member who will be willing to keep the pet and bring the pet to visit you, if possible.
Expense. Buying food is one thing then also add flea products, heartworm preventive, vet visits, dog walking services. An elderly fixed income is one thing, but what if the owner is suddenly widowed? There goes a Social Security check as well as all the caregiving that the other spouse was doing.
Identify an animal rescue or sanctuary for the pet. Designate a person to have power of attorney for your pet. Bell has a Pet Power of attorney she has her senior clients sign just like a POA that a human signs. It is a legal document that will designate where the pet willgo and that there is appropriate money designated to care for the pet for its lifetime.
If the pet is a senior as well it’s most likely there is a high chance a lifestyle change and being away from their owner and change in environment will not be handled well by the senior dog. Bell has had her clients want the pet to be euthanized and cremated with them. Bell will go to the vet and have the form signed in advance for that to happen. This assures dogs safety and should make it easier for the family to do the humane thing for the dog. This might sound morbid to some, but it is the right thing for the animal and assures the senior piece of mind. DON’T WAIT TILL YOUR PARENT IS IN HOSPICE TO START THIS PLANNING. DO IT NOW BELL WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS AND WORK WITH THE SENIOR TO PLAN FOR THEIR PET.
Pets are part of our family, so we need to prepare a proactive aging plan just like we do for our human seniors.