There are many advantages for a senior citizen who owns a pet. Stimulation, affection, companionship, and joy!
Not to mention the many health benefits owning a pet can bring, such as lowering stress, blood pressure, and increasing mental awareness.
The challenges of pets for senior citizens
Pets come along with their own set of challenges and responsibilities, and a senior citizen who owns a pet may need extra help as the challenges of memory loss set in.
Usually when one sees “pets”, “elderly”, and “safety” together in an article, it is about protecting pets and elderly friends from the summer heat. Sometimes, though, pets need to be protected from senior citizens with dementia who just love to shower pets with attention, including food that could be toxic for them.
Mom gave the dog a very tough piece of meat and he choked. Fortunately, he heimlich maneuvered himself when his feet went out from under him and he hit the floor!
Dad gave the dog his leftover breakfast cereal and raisins. Fortunately the dog didn’t like the raisins and just ate the cereal.
People with memory loss may not remember that dog shouldn’t eat certain foods including onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, or raisins, which are poisonous for dogs. They also may struggle to remember not to feed their pets anything on which they might choke.
What can you do to protect your pet?
- keep your dog out of kitchen when seniors are in it
- do not ever give dog human food so a senior citizen does not copy your behavior
- provide constant reminders
- be vigilant!
Get help
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