Pets are a great way to help seniors maintain their independence and keep their minds active.
While it’s true that pets can be a lot of work, they also provide companionship and joy for seniors who may not have the energy or mental capacity for more complicated activities like hiking or gardening.
Plus, research has shown that pets can be an effectivetreatment for several medical conditions including high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease and dementia—all of which have become more common among senior citizens in recent years.
So if you’re considering adding a furry friend to your life—or already have one!—here are eight dog
breeds that could make great additions:
8 dog breeds to consider
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Boxer
- Doberman Pinscher
- English Bulldog
- Poodle
3 factors of adoption:
Breed
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and each breed has its own personality.
The best way to find out if you will be able to interact well with a new pet is to look into the particular
characteristics of that dog’s breed.
For example, miniature pincher breeds like Chihuahuas or Yorkies don’t need much exercise because they have short legs, but some larger breeds such as Labrador retrievers require more exercise than others due to their muscular builds.
Size/weight
A smaller dog may be easier for seniors or disabled people who have trouble walking long distances; however, larger dogs need more frequent walks and could potentially get bored at home alone all day long.
It’s important not only what kind of activity level each type has (i..e., high energy), but also how much space there is around where you live (i..e., big yards).
If moving into senior living quarters doesn’t work for whatever reason then maybe consider adopting an older shelter dog instead.
Feeding and grooming
Some Dogs may have overwhelming Feeding and grooming needs which could also be quite expensive so it wouldn’t be advisable to saddle a senior with that type of responsibility or even the caregiver.
New research shows that pets can help prevent health conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer’s and
Dementia.
Pets can also help seniors stay active and engaged, which is especially important for those
who are physically unable to exercise.
To find out more about Pets and things you need to know before introducing them into an assisted living facility, you can read our most recent post.
Conclusion
So, what’s next? If you’re still in the process of making a decision and need to see some options
before deciding on one, please visit our website . We can help you choose an appropriate pet
for your senior living needs.