November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. While many people are committed to adopting animals through local shelters, older animals are often overlooked in favor of younger ones. But for seniors, adopting an older pet can be an ideal solution.

Why Seniors Should Consider Adopting an Older Pet

Senior pets are more likely to be housetrained and a little more settled. While they provide companionship, older pets typically aren’t as high-maintenance as a puppy or kitten who may need training, frequent walks, and play time.

Older animals offer their senior owners the same health benefits as younger animals:

• Purposeful days: Being responsible for a pet can give older adults, especially those who live alone, a reason to take better care of themselves. They know their pet is counting on them, and research shows that makes a difference.
• Companionship: Having a pet around provides an older adult with a best friend to chat with and enjoy all day long. That sense of companionship is important at every age, but it is especially important for more isolated seniors.
• Active lifestyle: In recent years, there has been a growing amount of research that shows how a sedentary lifestyle can be just as dangerous as smoking. It contributes to type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and more. Having a pet to care for can keep a senior active.
• Socialize: Pet owners are more likely to get to know their neighbors. Many of us have a hard time resisting petting a dog making its way around the neighborhood with its owner. It provides people a way to strike up a conversation and make new friends.
• Lower stress: Research shows petting an animal can have health benefits, including decreased stress and blood pressure. Researchers believe that this is because petting an animal releases a hormone in the body that helps you relax.

The Power of the Paw

At Sunrise, we believe in the power of the paw. So much so that not only do our communities encourage seniors to bring their pet when they move in, but we also have community pets at each Sunrise community.

If you are a pet lover, we encourage you to follow Sunrise Senior Living on Facebook. You can visit our “#PetsOfSunrise” album to see some of our residents’ favorite furry, feathered, and four-legged friends!