What to Do About Adopt a Dog Month
Senior dogs are wonderful pets for elderly adults who live at home and want a companion to cuddle.
Rescuing an older dog from a shelter makes a lot of sense—not only does the dog find a forever home, but the elderly adult gets a pet that is best suited to their abilities and temperament. October is Adopt a Dog Month, where communities emphasize the thousands of dogs that live in the shelters waiting to be adopted. Family caregivers should certainly give some thought as to whether their aging relative might benefit from adopting a dog.
Elderly Care in Haverford PA: Adopt a Dog Month
Senior Dogs for Senior Citizens
With age, many elderly adults don’t get around as well as they used to. Disease, illness, injury and age-related conditions tend to limit the amount of socialization they have. Chronic pain and discomfort plus fatigue can also discourage them from being too active. Studies show that seniors who have pets like dogs and cats are more active, report less pain and even live longer. A dog can be a real companion to an elderly person, providing unconditional love and constant entertainment.
Owning a dog is good for an elderly person’s mental health as well. Because many seniors have family caregivers and elderly care providers to take care of them, they often lose their self-esteem and can feel useless, worthless and depressed. Having a dog to nurture and care for gives them a renewed sense of purpose and allows them to focus on someone else’s needs instead of their own. Even petting a dog regularly can reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and help with occupational therapy exercises. There are few true downsides to seniors adopting an elderly dog.
Adopting a Dog is a Family Affair
Adult shelter dogs may be the perfect match for aging adults but adopting a dog by a senior who cannot live independently means that such action really is something for the whole family to consider. Family caregivers and elderly care providers will have to spend time caring for the dog when the elderly adult cannot. Common responsibilities that can be shared between family caregivers and their aging relatives include grooming, feeding, walking, exercising, vet visits, and cleaning up waste. The benefits of owning a dog often outweigh any downsides, and many family caregivers are fine with taking on a few duties to make their aging loved one happy.
During the month of October and Adopt a Dog Month, it’s easy to change two lives for the better—the elderly dog and the aging adult. With a lifetime of companionship between them and unlimited love and affection, it’s no wonder that so many people are looking to adopt a dog.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in Haverford, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. Call today: (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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