Why Adopting a Cat May Be a Great Idea for Your Senior 

June is National Adopt a Cat Month, sponsored by the American Humane Society. While pet ownership should never be an impulse decision, if your elderly loved one has expressed a desire to own a pet, adopting a cat could be a wonderful choice. With the right support, including senior home care services, owning a cat can bring companionship, joy, and even health benefits to your loved one’s life.

 

Health Benefits of Owning a Cat

Owning a cat can provide therapeutic care for your elderly loved one, especially when combined with senior home care assistance. The unconditional love of a pet offers many mental and physical health benefits:

• Cats can ease loneliness and isolation, giving your senior someone to spend time with and enjoy simple pleasures like watching birds together.
• Cats may improve health conditions, such as lowering high blood pressure and stress. Stroking a cat or playing with it can help your loved one relax and promote healing.
• Cats bring laughter and joy. Watching a cat’s playful antics can encourage your senior to laugh more, which is an important physical and emotional release as we age.
• Cats add a sense of purpose. For seniors who may feel a lack of direction, caring for a pet can give them someone to nurture and depend on them.

With the help of senior home care providers, the practical aspects of pet ownership—like cleaning the litter box or managing feeding schedules—become more manageable, allowing your loved one to focus on the joy and companionship a cat provides.

 

Five Tips for Picking the Right Cat for Your Loved One

1. Pick the right age. An older cat is often better for many seniors. Older cats are more calm, are already house-trained, and don’t require as much cleaning up after.
2. Choose the right temper. If chosen from a shelter, your loved one can often find out what the cat’s personality is like before purchase to make sure she gets one that matches what she is looking for. Some cats are more aloof, whereas others like lots of snuggles. Some are very vocal, and others don’t make much noise other than occasional purring.
3. Understand the grooming needs. A long-hair cat may need daily brushing whereas a shorter-hair cat won’t need as much.
4. Ask about health conditions. If adopting an elderly cat, ask about any health conditions it may have. If the animal already has several health conditions that require medication or special care, consider that when thinking of your loved one’s budget.
5. Keep allergies in mind. Many people are allergic to cats. If your loved one has family members with allergies, talk about how she’ll handle it when family members visit. She might also consider searching for a breed that produces lower levels of allergens.

 

Senior Home Care Help for Cat Owners

If your senior loved one has some physical or cognitive issues that may hinder her ability to fully care for a new cat, she might still be able to enjoy the perks of pet ownership if she has a senior home care provider who can assist with pet care. From sweeping up loose fur to cleaning the kitty litter box, a senior home care provider can help your loved one with the few chores that come alongside owning a cat.

By having someone to help with some of the maintenance care of a pet, your loved one can still enjoy all of the snuggles and purrs from her cat while you rest assured knowing the animal’s care needs are also being met.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care in Hicksville, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722