Pet Friendly Senior Living in Houston: 3 Key Benefits
According to the Pew Research Center, over 60% of Americans own a pet. About 97% say their pets are part of the family. Over 51% say their pets are as much a part of their family as a human member.
If you value your furry companion, look into pet friendly senior living. Aging with pets can enhance your mental, emotional, and physical wellness.
Not convinced? Read on to discover how a pet can enhance your Houston senior lifestyle!
1. Establish a Routine
Pets require ongoing attention, love, and support. As part of their daily routine, they expect you to:
- Care for them
- Feed them
- Exercise or play with them
Your pet will thrive when their life is consistent and structured. Living in a cat- or dog-friendly apartment will help you stick to their already established routine.
Choose a senior living community that allows you to maintain your independence. You can maintain your routine while receiving support when needed.
Giving your life structure can grant you a sense of purpose. It can also:
- Help you remain alert
- Boost cognitive function
- Help you sleep
- Enhance independence
- Promote well-being
- Foster a sense of stability
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve your mental and emotional health
This can lead to a more fulfilling, satisfying life. Meanwhile, your pet will appreciate your ongoing love and attention.
If you need help adding more structure to your life, explore your local senior living community. You can discover exclusive lifestyle programs that can enhance your daily routine.
2. Healthy Aging With Pets
Animal companionship can benefit your physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are a few ways you can experience healthy aging with pets after moving into a senior living community.
Physically Healthy Pets and Seniors
Taking care of a pet requires regular activity, including:
- Grooming
- Feeding
- Exercising
- Playing
These activities can help you remain physically active. Aim for about 30 minutes of physical activity a day (150 minutes weekly). Staying active can increase blood flow, allowing nutrients to reach and support organ function.
Dog owners usually go for walks twice a day. Walking or hiking can benefit your physical health by:
- Stabilizing your blood pressure
- Strengthening muscles, bones, and joints
- Improving your mood and mental well-being
- Triggering pro-aging effects
- Lowering blood sugar levels
- Enhancing sleep
- Improving your longevity
Your senior living community may offer a hiking or walking group through a fitness program. You can meet other dog owners and chat during your walks. Participating alongside friends can improve your mood and hold you accountable to attend regularly.
Exercising can help you shed extra pounds. Maintaining a healthy weight may help lower inflammation, which can reduce your risk of:
- Osteoporosis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Certain cancers
- Coronary heart disease
Recovery
Animal companionship may help you recover from an illness or injury. According to a national poll, pets help older adults cope with physical and mental health issues.
About 75% of seniors aged 50 to 80 say their animals reduced stress and gave them a sense of purpose. Another 46% say their pets helped take their mind off pain symptoms.
Relieving stress can lower inflammation, which may aid your recovery. Your furry friend can be a source of comfort while you heal.
Blood Pressure
Petting an animal can help you relax, which may lower your heart rate and blood pressure levels. Long-term, a high heart rate can cause organ or blood vessel damage. This could increase your risk of:
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Heart disease
Emotional Wellness
Being in the same room as a pet or companion animal may benefit your emotional well-being. Their presence could reduce negative feelings. Meanwhile, interacting with an animal (petting, talking to them, etc.) may boost positive emotions.
Most pet owners are more satisfied with their lives than non-pet owners. Here are a few other ways pets can promote emotional wellness.
Animal Companionship
According to Michigan Medicine, six-year trends from a national poll show that older adults have higher rates of loneliness and social isolation than others. Over one-third of adults aged 50 to 80 feel lonely, and nearly as many are isolated.
Social isolation and loneliness are associated with:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Cognitive decline
- A weakened immune system
- Depression
- Death
Aging with pets will give you companionship. You'll find comfort in them, while their presence can keep you from feeling isolated.
Socializing With Pets and Seniors
Choosing a cat- or dog-friendly retirement community may encourage you to interact with other seniors. For example, someone may approach you to say hi to your furry friend. You can strike up a conversation and make a new friend within your community.
Engaging in meaningful activities with other seniors could help you live longer. Socializing can improve your mood while giving you a sense of belonging.
Mental Health
Having a pet may help decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. During a loving interaction with your pet, you may experience a boost of oxytocin. This bonding hormone helps relieve stress.
Animal companionship may lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Chronic stress is associated with other health conditions, including:
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Weakened immune systems
- Heart disease and stroke
- Digestive problems
3. Enhanced Houston Senior Lifestyle
Aging with pets may enhance your Houston senior lifestyle. You'll have an ongoing source of companionship, love, and support as you age. Their presence may help you relax, encourage you to exercise, and lead to new friendships.
Look for Houston senior living communities that offer engaging lifestyle programs. Their amenities can further enhance your quality of life.
Explore Pet Friendly Senior Living
To recap, what's the benefit of pet friendly senior living? Aging with pets may enhance your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It can also support a lively social life, which may help extend your longevity and boost life satisfaction.
Look no further for vibrant senior living than Copperfield Estates Senior Living. We offer Independent Living with Supportive Services, allowing you to maintain your independence while ensuring you receive help when needed.
Enjoy our exclusive senior lifestyle programs, including in-house activities, chef-prepared meals, and spacious apartments. We deliver a fresh and modern environment where you can thrive while enjoying an all-inclusive lifestyle. Contact us now to schedule your tour.