Can You Bring a Pet With You to Assisted Living?
Yes, it is allowed to bring a pet with you whenever you are planning a move to assisted living. You should refer to the community policies that focus on pets before making a decision on which community fits you and your pet. If necessary, you can ask questions on which pets are allowed in your living space and the community as a whole.
If allowed, the community has spaces where the floor plans are pet-friendly as well as resident-friendly as well, especially when it comes to safety. Staff members understand that pets are an important source of companionship and emotional support. It makes the transition process much easier for you.
Why Are Pets Important to Assisted Living Residents?
Pets are known for providing you with companionship, emotional comfort, and help establish a routine. You have cared for a dog or cat for years of your life. Leaving a relationship that you have built with them can be very difficult, even if you are moving to assisted living. As such, having a familiar pet nearby provides:
- Daily companionship
- Opportunities for gentle activities
- A comforting sense of routine
- More reasons to spend time outdoors
- Emotional support during major life transitions such as loss, relocation, etc.
It is always a good idea to consider your pets as part of the plan to relocate to assisted living. Rehoming them can be an emotional challenge that can leave lasting effects.
What Should You Ask About A Community’s Pet Policy?
If you are in the planning stages of relocating to assisted living, knowing the community’s pet policies can help make your decision much easier. If you have a dog, cat, or another companion animal you wish to move with, it is important to ask the right questions. These include but are not limited to:
- What types and sizes of pets are allowed in the community?
- Is there a limit on how many you are allowed to have?
- Are there requirements for vaccination and veterinary records?
- Does the community have a designated outdoor area for pets?
- Is there a pet fee or deposit that applies?
- Who is responsible for feeding, grooming, and cleanup?
- What happens if you can no longer care for the pet independently?
Clear answers are the major goal to achieve before you decide on whether an assisted living community is the best fit for you and your pet. It should also be noted that in the event when you can no longer care for your pet independently, you can make plans ahead of time. For example, you may have the pet rehomed with a family member who is willing to take them in.
How Can Pets Make The Transition To Assisted Living Easier?
A lot of change is involved when it comes to moving from a longtime home to an assisted living space. A familiar pet can provide that important connection especially to the previous routine that you followed in your old surroundings. They can assist you by providing the following:
- Familiarity during the first few weeks
- A consistent daily schedule
- Companionship
- Natural opportunities to meet your new neighbors
- Make your new apartment feel more like home
Such familiarity is valuable when you are adjusting to a new community. If you are feeling a bit nervous about an upcoming move, you’ll feel comforted knowing that you’ll be able to adjust better and much quicker with a pet that you have built a relationship with for years.
How Can You Prepare A Pet For The Move?
Of course, preparation for your pet ahead of the move is important. Especially when they may also feel uneasy about moving from a familiar environment to a newer one. The transition can be easier for them assuming you and even your family can:
- Keep the pet’s daily routine as consistent as possible
- Bring familiar beds, toys, and feeding dishes
- Introduce the pet gradually to the new surroundings
- Ensure that identification and veterinary information is current and up to date
- Discuss the pet’s personality and habits to care staff
Your pet might behave differently if exposed to new, unfamiliar environments especially if they are introduced to it in a sudden manner.
Looking For A Pet-Friendly Assisted Living Community? Elison of Oxford Might Be Your Kind of Place
Elison of Oxford knows that you and your pet have a bond that can’t be broken. For this reason, we offer pet friendly spaces for you and that special companion in your life. They can continue to live their best lives while you continue to live yours, even if you need additional support. Let Elison of Oxford become the place you and your pet can call home. Contact us today to set up a tour of our community.
