Pets are the cat’s meow when it comes to living our best second-half life. Solet’s dig right into the benefits of pet ownership and how we can best navigate the addition of furry, feathered friends during our Golden Years.
First of all, pets are good for our health. This point cannot be challenged or diminished. A recent report from the American Psychiatric shows 86 percent of participants believe pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health.
“People recognize that there is something special about bonds between humans and their pets,” said APA President Rebecca Brendel, M.D., J.D., in the March 2023 APA online report publication. The animals we bring into our lives and our families play many roles, from nonjudgmental companions that we love to key partners in reducing our stress and anxiety.”
According to the APA report, those who said their pets positively impact their mental health cited several key benefits, including:
• Help reduce stress and anxiety (69%).
• Provide unconditional love and support(69%)
• Offer companionship (69%).
• Provide a calming presence (66%).
• Are true friends (63%)
Before considering the acquisition of a pet, Advanced Nursing & Homecare’s online material suggests putting pen to paper on the potential concerns and challenges. Raising and researching points like “what are the best pets for seniors?” “Can I afford a pet?” and “Do they have a plan and support system?” are great starter questions, according to the article.Connecting with a mobile vet maypay dividends later in convenience when mobility decreases. Doing research on pet types, needs, costs and contingencies is a great place to begin the conversation.
While weighing the options, another smart play is working with senior pet or specific breed rescue organizations. Senior pets are a great idea because they need companionship as much as senior humans— and they aren’t going to be as much of a long-term investment as a puppy or younger animal might be. Some breed rescue groups also offer adopters the option of returning the animal if it isn’t a fit for whatever reason.
Most importantly, the conversation should include members of your care team and loved ones who will be part of your support network as you age. It is critical to engage in realistic dialogue about what will happen to the pet if you can no longer care for it, who will make decisions, where the pet will live and with whom, and most importantly how your loved ones will pay for it all. Making the decision to have one requires authentic conversation with our loved ones, a realistic vision of the future and a willingness to hear the concerns of the people who will support us in the second half.
