Mauldin, SC – Senior Care and Pet Ownership

Owning a pet is a significant responsibility, and seniors who have their own challenges taking care of themselves may have a difficult time taking care of a pet. However, research has shown that having a pet can be incredibly beneficial, especially for aging Americans. The companionship they offer helps to lower blood pressure, reduce hypertension, and diminishes overall stress and anxiety that may be commonplace when it comes to aging.

As February is Responsible Pet Owner’s Month, take some time to consider the following:

First, will the senior care provider working with your father be okay with the addition of a new pet?

Some people are allergic to pet dander and that could complicate the situation, especially if your loved one has been working with the same senior care provider for some time. Always check with the caregiver first before making any decision about a new pet.

Second, would your loved one be able to provide the basic necessities for this animal?

For example, if your parent is interested in getting a cat, he or she will need to clean the litter box on a daily basis. Some people let the litterbox go for a week, but that’s neither fair to the cat nor is it healthy to the animal or its human counterparts. If looking at a small dog (avoid medium to large size dogs because it becomes much more difficult to control them for elderly clients), your loved one will need to walk it on a regular basis.  Another question to consider is if your loved one can afford the pet food and vet care.

Third, if your father can handle most aspects of pet ownership in a reasonable manner, will he have the support of family or professional caregivers?

If the senior care provider will be asked to help care for the animal, you’ll need to check with the home care agency and the caregiver to ensure it is okay. If the caregiver is not comfortable with the situation or the home care agency does not allow its caregivers to provide support for animals, this may not be a workable solution.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring senior care services near Mauldin, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.

Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens,Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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