5 Well-Researched Benefits of Pets for Seniors Living Alone
Having a pet can provide numerous benefits for seniors living alone. Pets offer companionship and love, reduce stress, improve physical health, and even increase socialization. Senior Helpers Greater Knoxville understands the need to ensure that our elderly clients are taken care of with both comfort and safety in mind. Here are a few of the many benefits that owning a pet can provide for seniors living in the Knoxville, Maryville, Clinton, and Loudon areas.
#1: Companionship
Having a pet provides seniors with a loyal and loving companion. A pet can give your senior loved one someone to talk to, provide comfort, and offer unconditional love and acceptance. Pets don't judge or criticize, but rather accept the elderly unconditionally for who they are – something that is often difficult to find in humans.
#2: Improved Health and Well-Being
Pets can also improve a senior's overall physical and mental health. Studies have shown that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress-related illnesses. They also tend to be more physically active due to walking their pets and playing with them. Additionally, petting an animal can have a host of benefits for a senior's physical health, including lowering blood pressure, reducing pain levels in those suffering from chronic conditions, and even improving heart health by reducing cholesterol levels.
#3: Increased Activity Levels
Having a pet can encourage your senior loved one to stay active. Pets need regular exercise and time outdoors, which gives seniors an opportunity to get up and move around. Walks with the dog or playing fetch in the backyard are activities that both you and your senior loved one can enjoy together.
#4: Lower Risk of Depression
Pets can be a great source of comfort for seniors living alone, reducing the risk of depression. Pets can provide companionship and unconditional love, which is important for elderly individuals who may feel lonely or isolated from friends and family. Research has shown that having a pet in the home can decrease feelings of loneliness and anxiety while increasing self-esteem.
#5: Increased Socialization
Having a pet can help your senior loved one become more socially active. Pets often encourage seniors to get out and meet new people, whether it's at the dog park or in their neighborhood. Additionally, pets are great conversation starters and can be a fun way for seniors to make new friends.
Contact Senior Helpers Greater Knoxville for In-Home Senior Care
Pets can offer seniors numerous benefits including companionship, increased activity levels, and improved health. If you are considering a pet for your senior loved one, be sure to take into account all the physical and mental benefits that can come with the furry companion - as well as the joy that a new pet can bring into your senior's life. For information on personalized senior care services in Knoxville, Maryville, Clinton, and Loudon, contact Senior Helpers today! We offer premium senior care for Tennessee residents who want only the best.