Having a pet in your life can bring joy and companionship, but for seniors living alone, it can mean so much more. We will examine the important role that indoor-only pets play in improving the mental well-being of seniors in East Tucson from Sabino Canyon to Tanque Verde.
Benefits of Indoor-Only Pets for Seniors
Most people realize that pets bring benefits. So many focus on finding a dog, though, which is not always an ideal companion for seniors with limited mobility. Indoor-only pets provide companionship without the need to take them outside for regular walks or enjoy regular play. Having an animal inside your home provides a loyal friend who will always listen to stories and love you unconditionally.
Stress relief has been proven through studies to be another invaluable benefit of having animals as companions for seniors living alone. Research indicates that petting a cat or bird helps reduce feeling anxious about life's situations and even individual health concerns. With stress levels lower, mood is easier to control overall making it possible for seniors to cope with mental challenges more peacefully—all thanks to the quality time spent with their four-legged friends!
Cats
Cats are one of the most popular pets around and they are an excellent choice for seniors. Cats don't require walks nor engage in play that requires strength or stamina. With canines, you need muscular arms to continue playing tug of war against a dog's strong jaws. The same applies to throwing a ball or Frisbee repeatedly as their energy seems to take a while to wane. Cats typically enjoy batting at strings and chasing lights. They can enjoy hours of stimulation from small toys that don't require as much strength for you to operate.
They also like to stick to a routine, such as eating their breakfast or dinner at particular times of the day. Routines are ideal for seniors as well to help them set goals and remember each task they need to complete.
Fish
Fish are known to be low-maintenance pets. There are cleaners you can purchase to make keeping their tank clean even easier, and they do not require a lot of food. Simply watching fish swim around can be a mentally engaging activity for seniors. Fill the tank with unique decorations and colorful designs to liven up your space. Add fish that are friendly and enjoy movement so you can stay busy watching them.
Birds
Birds are yet another satisfactory companion for seniors. Taking care of a bird can become almost meditative with their singing and chirping helping to bring zen into the atmosphere. Many kinds of birds don't require too much interaction either, which is ideal for seniors with limited energy levels. Consider buying some bird toys to offer them mental stimulation. You can watch them play.
Speak to Senior Helpers Tucson East
At Senior Helpers Tucson East, we understand the importance of pet companionship in senior living. We guarantee high-quality care services to meet you and your pet's needs. Count on us to provide compassionate caregivers that are experienced in both companion and homecare services, so you can benefit from the boost a pet gives to mental well-being without any worries about who will manage their needs at home when you're away or unable to care for them on your own. Contact us today for more information!