Pet Friendly Senior Living in Chico: A Comfortable Choice

No matter your age, there's no denying the joy that a furry friend can bring to your life. According to The Zebra, around 66% of households own a pet, whether that's a cat, dog, or bird. Having the comfort and unconditional love from a pet can melt away anyone's loneliness, especially seniors.

Many seniors may think that they have to find a new home for their pet when they move into a senior living community, but that's not always the case. There are many pet friendly senior living communities in the Chico area. These communities welcome not only the elderly with open arms, but their pets as well.

This blog will go over what to look for when searching for senior housing with pets. We'll also discuss some of the benefits seniors can experience when choosing to live with a four-legged friend.

Why Pet Friendly Senior Living Matters

Owning a pet can provide seniors with many physical and mental benefits. When searching for a senior living community in Chico, it's important to look for an organization that values the impact of animals on their owners' lives.

Enhanced Physical Health

Pet owners need to be up and on their feet, especially if they own a dog. Dogs need to be walked regularly for their physical health and also so they can relieve themselves.

Establishing a regular walking routine with their dog can help seniors stay active and maintain a healthy weight. It may also reduce their risk of the following cancers:

Kidney
Colon
Lung
Prostate
Breast

Seniors don't need to take their dogs on extensive walks to reap these benefits. Incorporating several short walks daily will all add up to improving their physical health.

Increased Mental Health

Pets provide us with constant love with no strings attached. Taking care of your pet and fulfilling their needs can give pet owners a sense of purpose. Some emotional wellness benefits pets can provide us include:

Decreased feelings of loneliness
Reduced anxiety and stress
Unconditional support and love

Many people may get overwhelmed by the responsibility of owning a pet, but it's a great way to add structure to a senior's daily routine. Establishing healthy routines that include the following can give seniors a sense of accomplishment:

Making healthy meals
Going on walks
Spending time playing

Creating a daily structure is important for seniors, as they may feel a little lost moving into a senior living community after spending years in their own home. While they may have fewer responsibilities when living in a senior living community, they can fill their days spending quality time with their pet.

Improved Healthy Aging

As we've talked about, owning a pet can help seniors combat many of the physical and mental hurdles they may encounter as they get older. But did you know that caring for a pet can help those suffering from memory care conditions?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, owning a pet can help improve and slow the rate of cognitive decline in those with dementia. This includes the following:

Verbal fluency
Verbal memory
Composite verbal cognition

Pets can achieve this by decreasing depression and distress in their owners.

How to Find the Right Pet Friendly Senior Community

Pet friendly senior living communities take into account the health and safety of all their residents, including your furry friend. However, they need to ensure the comfort and safety of staff members and other residents. As a result, these communities typically have policies and rules in place.

Some regulations you may encounter when searching for communities for pets and seniors include:

Weight or breed restrictions
Potential limit of one pet per resident
No exotic or undomesticated animals
The pet must be neutered or spayed
Proof of recent immunizations
An additional fee and/or deposit may be required
The pet owner will need to maintain the cleanliness of the apartment unit

You will also need to consider the ongoing costs of owning a pet on top of the fees the senior living community may charge. This can include:

Veterinary care
Grooming
Food
Toys

Questions to Ask Yourself

It's important to ensure that you can fulfill your pet's everyday needs without relying on another person to help you complete them. Asking yourself some of the following questions can help you determine if animal companionship is the right choice for you:

How much are the pet-related deposits and fees?
What will I do if I can't take care of my pet?
Does the community have pet assistance if I need it?
Are there well-lit areas to walk my pet?
What are the pet rules for common spaces?

Knowing the answers to these questions can help you make the best choice possible for you and your pet.

Tips for Finding the Best Community

Congratulations! You've decided on a pet friendly senior community for you and your animal. Let's go over some ways you can ensure a smooth transition for yourself and your companion:

Make sure your pet is up to date on their immunizations
Determine your ability to take care of your pet
Schedule a check-in visit with your vet before you move in
Gather your pet's immunization and health records
Gradually introduce your pet to new routines
Find nearby animal hospitals and vets close to your new home, if needed

Moving can be a stressful time, and your pet isn't immune to that. Make sure you stick to your pet's regular walking and feeding schedule during your transition. Maintaining a sense of normalcy as you transition into a new environment can make the process easier on you and your pet.

Find the Best Pet Friendly Senior Community in Chico

Pets and seniors go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. You shouldn't have to give up animal companionship because you're moving into a senior community. Find a reliable pet friendly senior living community in Chico to call home with your furry friend.

Provincial Chico is one of the top choices for a premier Chico senior lifestyle. We're proud to welcome pets to our quaint community. Reach out to us to schedule a tour and introduce us to your pet!