Benefits of Pet-Friendly Retirement Communities
The demographics of the American people are shifting. By 2024, adults 65 and older will make up 23% of the population. Changing demographics come with changing needs, like pet-friendly retirement communities.
While you may believe that moving into a retirement community signals the end of life as a pet owner, nothing could be further from the truth. There are a lot of pet-friendly senior living options out there. Read on to learn all about the benefits of senior living with pets!
Maintain Your Companionship
Our society's view of pets has changed a lot over recent decades. Pets used to be furry friends who lived in the yard or provided us with a small level of companionship or service.
Today, more and more people consider their pets to be more like family than anything else. We celebrate their birthdays with pet-friendly treats and photos, we make sure their boarding facilities are top-tier, and we grieve their loss just as we would any family member.
Pet-friendly retirement communities recognize all of the ways that pets enrich our lives. As a result, many people don't have to choose between keeping their pets and getting the support they need from a retirement community.
Stay Active
Few things are more strongly recommended by almost all physicians than physical activity. This holds true for your golden years, too. Regular physical activity has many proven benefits, including:
- Maintain muscle strength and tone
- Reduction in the risk of heart disease
- Better blood glucose levels
- Reduction in pain from osteoarthritis
- Improved mood
- Boosted immunity
There's no bigger motivator to stick to a fitness regimen than a pet that loves to get outdoors and sniff around. Dogs and even some cats require regular outdoor breaks throughout the day. Taking your pet for a stroll a few times a day helps you get in physical activity in manageable amounts throughout the day.
Build Your Social Group
When you're searching for a retirement community, you'll want to look for one with a vibrant social scene. One of the most impactful benefits of retirement homes for pet owners is the social aspect that comes with it. Your pet doesn't just get you out of your home, but it helps you forge friendships with other people in the community.
Go for walks and chat with other community members who are out and about. Take your pets out on play dates, if you want your pet to get some socialization, too!
You don't have to have a dog to reap the social benefits of pet ownership. Many people find comfort in animals, even if they aren't their own. If you have a cat or other, smaller furry friend, invite someone over to visit with you. Not only will they get to enjoy the benefit of your company, but they'll also get to connect and receive comfort from your pet.
Boost Mental Health
Few people live lives that are free from mental health challenges. As you get older, you may find yourself facing feelings of anxiety or depression around aging and your health. Many people report feeling isolated and lonely in their retirement years.
There's no substitute for mental health care from a professional, but seniors living with pets report better mental health overall. Pets help people feel less alone in the world, especially when they're curled up on your lap or snuggled up with you on the couch.
Believe it or not, studies show that the mental health benefits of senior pet ownership actually help seniors live longer, too!
Enhance Your Health Outcomes
The health benefits of pet ownership don't stop at mental health outcomes. They have a major impact on your physical health, too! A large part of this is because of the benefits you receive when you get out and active with your pet.
The simple fact that you own and interact with a pet provides health benefits, too, even if you're not taking them for walks. Research shows that pet owners have reduced blood pressure, improved memory function and recall, and reduced risk of heart disease.
Who knew staying healthy was as easy as owning a cat?
Create Purpose
Lots of people look forward to their retirement years because of the leisure time it'll afford them.
That leisure time is fantastic, but many people also struggle with it. You spend most of your life building a career or raising a family. When you've reached retirement, and your kids are grown with families of their own, it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling like your life no longer has a purpose.
Having a pet helps counter those feelings. You'll have a living being that depends on you to feed and care for it. Having those responsibilities can do wonders and make you feel like your life has meaning.
Maintain a Regular Schedule
Many people find that they miss the routine and rhythm of working life when they retire. In fact, many people scope out a community's social calendars and regular activities when they're searching for senior and assisted living communities to help build their schedules.
Pets provide an additional level of regularity.
There's not a cat in the world who will suffer their morning meal coming late. Both cats and dogs require feeding and care at regular intervals. You'll find that you're getting up and going to bed at the same time each day until it becomes a rhythm.
Pet-Friendly Retirement Communities Are the Way To Go!
We've come a long way from the days when retirement communities were viewed as just part of the transition into old age. Today, pet-friendly retirement communities allow seniors to live fuller, happier lives with their animal companions and new social circles. If you're not already considering retirement communities with pets, now's the time to do it!
If you're looking for vibrant retirement homes for pet owners, then make Lakehouse Chippewa Falls your first choice. Our community features a wealth of amenities and services that'll make you feel at home with your pet. Contact us today to learn more about why we should be your future home!