What to Do When Elderly People Can’t Take Care of Their Pets

Pets can be a wonderful way to provide your senior loved one with companionship, a sense of purpose, and enjoyment. However, sometimes physical and mental health conditions can make it difficult for seniors to take care of pets. Making a plan with your loved one can ensure his or her pet is well cared for.

Include Pet Care in Estate Planning

Arranging a guardian for a pet and ensuring there is enough funding for veterinary care and boarding fees should be a part of estate planning. Encourage your loved one to make a plan for the pet’s future.
Seniors who need help caring for pets and looking after their own health can benefit from professional in-home care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same home care services. Dayton families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

Make Arrangements for Pet Care

If your loved one is temporarily unable to care for the pet due to an injury, arrangements can be made to take care of the pet. Dog walkers, pet sitters, and pet care providers can walk, feed, and clean up after your loved one’s pet.

Give the Pet to a Friend or Family Member

Rehoming your loved one’s pet with a close friend or family member ensures the pet has a good home and proper care. Letting your loved one choose who adopts the pet can help him or her feel like part of the solution and retain feelings of independence.
Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Dayton, OH, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.

Board the Pet

If you or other family members aren’t able to keep the pet, the best solution may be to board the pet while you find someone to adopt it. This can be financed either through money set aside in the estate or family contributions. Make sure to check out the boarding facility for cleanliness and ask how much outside time the animals receive each day.

Give the Pet to an Animal Rescue Group

Animal rescue groups take in animals and either provide foster care or adoptive services to prevent the animals from being put down in shelters. Reputable animal rescue groups are licensed and charge an adoption fee. Make sure the animal rescue has a good reputation before releasing your loved one’s pet.

Surrender the Pet to an Animal Shelter

If there are no other viable options to care for your loved one’s pet, surrendering it to an animal shelter may be necessary. Make sure the shelter is clean, has a good reputation, and is well managed. Ask about euthanasia policies, such as the time frame when it would occur, to ensure the pet has a chance to be adopted.

Sell the Pet Online

Advertising animals for free on the internet is never a good idea, as the animal may be used for unscrupulous purposes. If you choose to list the pet, consider charging an adoption fee of $50 to $100, and perform a background check to reject people who aren’t serious.
Though having a pet can be wonderful for boosting an aging adult’s emotional health, some seniors may face health challenges preventing them from taking care of a pet. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated home care agency. Dayton Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. To learn about our premier home care plans, call one of our professional Care Managers at [hca_phone] today.