Stressed Out About Finding Pet-Friendly Assisted Living? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Be

If you are preparing to transition into an assisted living community, you already have enough to worry about. As such, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether your furry family members will be welcome in your new home. Luckily, there are some pretty simple solutions for ensuring that your pets continue to receive the love and care they need. So, stop stressing about your pets and start putting these tips to work as you prepare for your move.

You Can Use Online Tools to Find Pet-Friendly Communities 

Okay, so this should be a given: If you want to keep your companion animals with you after moving to assisted living, you need to find a pet-friendly community. Not sure where to start when searching for a community that will allow pets? Assisted living referral sites can be a priceless resource when you are looking for local assisted living communities with specific features and accommodations. You can use the included filters to narrow down your options according to those preferred features and you can also check out average pricing in your area. Many of these sites also provide phone reps that can help you connect with the right community. As you browse through prospective communities, it’s also a good idea to read reviewsfrom a few different websites and sources and to schedule tours once you have a few top choices.

You Can Ensure That Any Pets Are Healthy and Well-Groomed

Once you find a pet-friendly community, you want to be sure that you and your pet will be comfortable settling into your new home. Start by picking up a good flea medicine so that you can avoid creating a health hazard in your new community. Aside from being a pain to deal with, fleas can also pose serious risks to both people and pets since they carry parasites and can trigger allergies. So make sure you have a reliable and safe medicationto keep fleas off your pets. Grooming your pet is also a good way to reduce pet allergies in your new home, so be sure to keep up with appointments or any DIY grooming at home. Many pet-friendly senior communities may also provide grooming services that can make caring for pets easier.

You Can Research Local Pet Sitters, Boarding, and Dog Walkers 

If you find an assisted living facility that is dog-friendly, they may offer extended pet services like pet sitting or dog walking. Otherwise, you should think about researching local professionals who can help you out with these pet-care tasks. If you plan to take any trips or vacations while you live in assisted living, finding a reliable sitter who can care for your dog in his/her home is a good option, though you may prefer to leave your pet with a local boarding facility instead. If taking your dog for walks is too strenuous or you are living with mobility issues, you may also want to look for local dog walkers to help ensure that your dog stays active, happy, and healthy.

You Can Have a Solid Contingency Plan for Re-Homing Pets 

Since pets can provide ample health benefits, including helping to ward off depression and chronic disease, moving your pets into an assisted living community can be a smart option for preserving your quality of life. With this being said, there may come a time that you are unable to properly care for your pets, or you may not be able to afford pet-friendly facilities. As you prepare to move into this next chapter of your life, make sure you have a plan in place to ensure your pet is taken care of no matter what. Planning ahead for your pets could involve speaking with loved ones about taking your pet in at some point or making plans to rehome your pet.

Moving to assisted living can be stressful, but being able to bring your pet along can ease the transition. So, look for a new home that will welcome your little family members, or look for a safe and low-stress option for providing your pet with the home he/she needs.