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Recently, I asked my readers for topics they would like to see featured on my blog. Can you guess the most popular request? It was articles about pets in nursing homes!
When animals interact with residents of senior living communities, it can take several forms:
- Animals live in the nursing home and are owned by the organization.
- Staff bring their pets to stay during their shift.
- Therapy animals come for scheduled visits.
- Residents bring pets from their previous home to live with them in their room.
- Family members or friends bring animals for a visit.
The topic of pets in nursing homes could take up an entire book. Today I’ll tell you a bit about my personal experiences, and I’ll also share a few resources you can refer to for further information.
Several years ago, I worked at a nursing home that adopted the Eden Alternative philosophy. Its aim is to eliminate loneliness, helplessness, and boredom among residents of senior living communities. This meant, in part, bringing pets to live at the nursing home.
As we considered how pets might affect the lives of our residents and staff, people came up with lots of questions. Would animals make the nursing home dirty or smelly? Might residents trip over the pets and end up falling? What about residents or staff with allergies? Thankfully, most of the concerns proved unfounded.
Yes, there were a few bumps in the road. A handful of residents thought animals belonged outdoors and didn’t want cats or dogs wandering into their rooms. Some animals couldn’t adapt to the nursing home environment, and they had to leave during the trial period. And the dogs became fat because residents and family members fed them too many snacks.
Teams of staff, volunteers, and residents (cat team, dog team, etc.) cared for the animals and addressed any concerns. Yes, it meant extra work, but it was so worth it!
Pets enriched the lives of residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors in so many ways. The companionship, entertainment, and sense of purpose they brought were priceless.
Are you considering bringing pets into your nursing home? Here are a few resources I know you’ll find helpful:
- If you want to bring your pet to visit a loved one at a nursing home: 10 Tips for Visiting a Nursing Home With Your Dog
- If you’re interested in having animals live in your senior living community: The Eden Alternative Animal Welfare Guidelines
- If you want to learn more about therapy animals: Would Your Dog Make A Good Therapy Dog?
- If a resident wants to bring their pet to live with them: Assisted Living For Seniors With Pets
- If you want to know how COVID-19 has affected pets coming into nursing homes: Protocols seem to be constantly changing, so I encourage you to contact your local or state Department of Health for current guidelines.
Here’s where you can help. Do you know of a senior living community that has successfully incorporated pets into its programs? Please let me know in the comment section. Then my readers can contact them for tips and to answer any questions. Thank you!
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