Pet-Friendly Senior Living in Sun City Center, FL
According to this systematic review, older adults report that their pets reduce feelings of loneliness while offering emotional support. Choosing a pet-friendly retirement community may even offer physical health benefits.
Are you on the fence about moving into pet friendly senior living in Sun City Center, FL? Having a furry friend nearby could enhance your quality of life and extend your longevity. Read on to discover the benefits of pets for seniors today!
Emotional Support Animals Elderly
The "pet effect," or presence of a companion animal in your life, could enhance your emotional well-being. According to this study, negative emotions are lower when a pet is present. Interacting with a companion pet could also boost positive feelings.
If you're considering senior apartments with pets allowed, consider your mood. Are you happier around animals? According to another study, pet owners are more satisfied with their lives than non-owners.
Here are a few other ways emotional support animals benefit elderly seniors.
Pet Companionship
According to the National Institute on Aging, aging leaves us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness. Associated health problems include:
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Alzheimer's disease
- Weakened immune system
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obesity
- Death
Having a companion animal gives you access to unconditional love. Your pet will support and adore you, which may relieve feelings of loneliness.
People who engage in meaningful, productive activities tend to live longer. Building a community can boost your mood and give you a sense of purpose. Consider exploring your senior living community's events calendar to find opportunities to connect with other animal lovers in Sun City Center.
Socializing with other seniors may help:
- Reduce stress
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce the risk of chronic diseases
- Ease anxiety and depression symptoms
- Boost your mood
- Improve your longevity
Your furry friend can help you make new friends. Other seniors may approach you after seeing your pet. You can use these opportunities to forge new connections within your senior living community.
Stress Relief
According to The National Council on Aging, there's a unique relationship between stress and aging. Stress negatively impacts our ability to respond to certain kinds of inflammation associated with age-related diseases. More stress means more inflammation, which can worsen:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Atherosclerosis
- Arthritis
- Dementia
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Dementia
According to The American Institute of Stress, 55% of seniors said their pets are a source of joy. Engaging with your pet can trigger a release of oxytocin. This bonding hormone can ease stress.
You can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) by:
- Maintaining eye contact with your pet
- Talking to animals
- Petting an animal
High cortisol levels can trigger an inflammatory response, which may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Instead, consider spending time with your furry friend. They may help alleviate stress.
Explore your senior living community's wellness program for more relaxation techniques. Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises may help.
Assisted Living With Pets Sun City Center
Moving into senior apartments with pets allowed may enhance your physical health. Remaining physically active can benefit your mood, longevity, and quality of life. Here are a few ways living with a pet in Sun City Center may help.
Exercise
According to the Pet Food Institute, people with dogs engage in more minutes of physical activity weekly. They're 50% more likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity than people without dogs.
Living with a pet may encourage you to exercise more. Other benefits of hiking or walking include:
- Enhanced mental health
- Pro-aging benefits at a cellular level
- Reduced risk of chronic and age-related diseases
- Increased longevity
- Creativity boosts
- Improved sleep
- Reduced stress
Aim for 150 minutes of exercise weekly (30 minutes a day). You can discover fun exercise classes through your senior living community's fitness program.
If you have a dog, consider joining a walking or hiking group. Your furry friend will hold you accountable to attend regularly. Remember, socializing can also benefit your mood, physical health, and longevity.
Heart Health
The pet effect may reduce cortisol, which is associated with cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, your pet may also:
- Encourage weight loss habits
- Lower blood pressure
- Get you to exercise more
- Reduce stress
- Lower blood sugar
- Boost happiness and overall well-being
- Lower cholesterol
Long-term, high blood pressure can lead to blood vessel or organ damage. This may increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack. Exercising regularly alongside your furry pet may reduce your risk and protect your heart.
Mental Benefits of Pets for Seniors
According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders among older adults account for 10.6% of the total years lived with disability for seniors. About 14% of seniors live with a mental disorder. Depression and anxiety are most prevalent.
Spending time with a furry friend could ease feelings of anxiety and depression. Remember, your pet may keep you from feeling lonely, which can benefit your mental and physical health. Their unconditional love may enhance your quality of life after retirement.
Cognitive Health
According to this study on cognitive testing, when compared to non-owners, pet owners:
- Remember stories with more detail
- Focus their attention better
- Have a higher mental processing speed
Unfortunately, about seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. That's one in nine people aged 65 and older.
Spending time with your pet may enhance your cognitive health. Remember, stress and inflammation can worsen dementia. Social isolation can increase your risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
Having a pet may reduce stress and inflammation while encouraging you to engage with your community. This could lower your risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Choose Pet Friendly Senior Living
To recap, why should you choose pet friendly senior living in Sun City Center? Having a pet can benefit your emotional, mental, and physical health. Experience these benefits alongside your furry friend at our senior living community today!
Aston Gardens at the Courtyards offers exclusive lifestyle programs designed to meet your every want and need. Enjoy Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities & Events, and Dimensions Health & Fitness for comfort and convenience. Contact us now to schedule your tour!