Virtually everyone has heard of the “dog days of summer”, and in late August, it becomes official. August 26 is National Dog Day. This is the perfect time for you as a family caregiver to talk to your senior about the benefits of owning a dog and starting this new friendship for them.

Some of the benefits of introducing a furry friend to your elderly family member’s care routine include:

• Physical stimulation. Having a pet in the home automatically provides additional opportunity for your parent to enjoy physical activity on a daily basis. From taking them for walks, to playing with them, to feeding and grooming them, caring for a dog will help your senior stay more active and encourage better physical health and well-being. Even if your parent is not able to handle these tasks completely on their own, they can receive help and support from a home care provider to handle these care tasks safely and in the way that is right for them.
• Mental stimulation. Regularly interacting with animals is a fabulous way to keep your aging parent’s mind stimulated, flexible, and responsive. This includes remembering to handle their needs, such as feeding and walking them, talking to them, and receiving their love and attention. This can help to slow down cognitive functioning decline, support better decision-making and judgment, and keep your parent’s mind sharper and more responsive as they age.
• Emotional health support. Studies have shown that seniors who interact with pets on a regular basis are less likely to experience emotional health challenges. This includes reducing the chances that they will suffer depression, anxiety, loneliness, isolation, and stress. Having better emotional health contributes to an overall better quality of life. Seniors who have better mental health are more likely to stay motivated to take care of themselves, stay involved with their friends and family, and seek out ways to keep their lifestyle active, independent, and engaged. This means that they can enjoy overall better health and well-being simply avoiding emotional challenges.

If you have been looking for ways to enhance your parent’s life and encourage them to live the highest quality of life possible as they age in place, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting home care for them. An in-home senior care services provider can be in the home with your parent on a fully customized schedule that ensures that they get the care, support, assistance, and encouragement that they need, when they need it. This also keeps you at the front of their routine, supporting your ongoing relationship while ensuring that your parent gets everything they need to live the quality of life that they deserve. The highly personalized services of a home care provider mean that your parent can stay happy, healthy, comfortable, and safe, and seek out a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, and fulfilling as possible, and maintain as much independence as they can as they age in place.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care in Plainsboro, NJ or the surrounding areas, please call Independence Home Care today at 609-208-1111 for more information.

Sources

http://gazettereview.com/2015/08/new-benefits-to-senior-citizens-owning-pets/