At a recent meeting of the Wood County Senior Resource Network, Robert Goewey, a humane agent from the Wood County Humane Society, spoke about the need to consider pet care when planning for seniors’ needs. His talk, called “What About the Pets?”, highlighted the struggles that older pet owners face and ways caregivers can help them.
Key Takeaways
Robert Goewey from the Wood County Humane Society discusses the importance of considering pet welfare in senior care planning.
- Pets provide emotional comfort and health benefits to seniors, but caring for them can become challenging as people age.
- Early discussions and planning about pet care can prevent abandonment or neglect by connecting seniors with local humane societies for resources.
- The Wood County Humane Society offers programs that assist seniors in maintaining their pets’ welfare without added stress.
The connection between seniors and their pets
For many older adults, pets aren’t just companions; they bring emotional comfort and health benefits. Studies show that having a pet can lower stress, reduce blood pressure, and ease loneliness—common issues among seniors. However, as people get older, taking care of a pet can become harder due to physical challenges, money concerns, or health issues.
Goewey advised senior care workers to think about pet welfare when planning home care or moving someone into assisted living. He shared cases where seniors couldn’t care for their pets anymore, leading to abandonment or neglect. Early discussions and planning could prevent these problems. He encouraged caregivers and families to contact local humane societies for resources that help both seniors and their pets.
The Wood County Humane Society offers several programs to help seniors with pets, making it easier for them to care for their animals without added stress. These services, from pet care help to veterinary support, aim to keep pets and their owners together for as long as possible.
Companion care in senior well-being
Having a pet can be a great source of joy and comfort for seniors. But sometimes, you might need extra help. That’s where companion care comes in. This type of care gives you emotional support and someone to chat with. It’s common for your social circle to get smaller as you grow older. Companion caregivers can fill this gap, making you feel less alone and happier.
Companion caregivers won’t help with medical needs. Instead, they spend time with you, go for walks, do light chores, and even help take care of your pet. This is really helpful if you live by yourself or your family lives far away.
The cost for a companion caregiver can be different depending on where you live and what you need. Agencies might also ask for a minimum number of hours. Medicare usually doesn’t cover this, but Medicaid might in some places. Some private insurance and veteran benefits might also help with the cost.
Here are some ways to find a companion caregiver:
Agency – You can contact home health agencies for trained caregivers. They might cost more.
Hire directly – You can hire someone yourself, which is cheaper. Just make sure to do proper background checks.
Planning for the future
When you’re looking at senior care options, it’s important to think about both the people and their pets. Goewey and other experts suggest some steps to make sure pets are taken care of if things change. Here are some tips:
Pet care plan – Have someone ready to take care of the pet if there’s an emergency.
Use community help – Groups like the Wood County Humane Society can help with pet food, vet visits, and temporary pet fostering.
Pet care in senior care talk – Caregivers should ask about pets during check-ins and help connect seniors with pet support when needed.
Look into companion care – For seniors who need help, hiring someone who can also take care of pets might be helpful.
More senior care experts now understand how important pets are. Talks by people like Goewey draw attention to this, improving life for older adults and their pets. It can help prevent leaving pets behind and makes life better for everyone involved.
