Many seniors are reluctant to move into assisted living, even when they desperately need daily help. Adding a beloved cat or dog to the mix makes the transition even more challenging.
Many older adults don’t want to leave furry family members behind, especially those who have no alternative care plans for them. Luckily, assisted living in pets-allowed communities is available for aging individuals in Northside!
Indianapolis is a thriving metropolis filled with interesting sights and delicious restaurants. Whether you or a loved one requires standard assisted living or memory care, cat and dog-friendly assisted living in Indianapolis is key to lifelong happiness. Read on to learn the ins and outs of this pet-friendly senior housing!
Assisted Living in Pets-Allowed Communities: Indianapolis Senior Housing
Pet-friendly senior living is available when a community has amenities that ensure the safety and comfort of pets. Rittenhouse Village at Northside prides itself on having apartments that allow cats and dogs to thrive.
There are several different types of floor plans. Studio suites feature a single room in which seniors and their animal companions can live. They’re easy to navigate, especially for those with cognitive decline.
One-bedroom apartments are private spaces with multiple rooms, including a:
- Bedroom
- Kitchen
- Living area
- Bathroom
They’re ideal for seniors who need a bit more storage space and room for mobility.
However, both of these floor plan types are spacious areas for aging with pets. There’s plenty of room for animals to run, jump, and play. You can also expect enough room to include:
- Pet beds
- Cat trees
- Food and water bowls
- Toys and play areas
- Hiding spots for fun-loving animals
This ensures that pets can indulge their energetic natures in Northside senior living.
Our apartments also have in-room temperature control to ensure that the space is comfortable for pets. It also serves as a safety feature that stops animals from overheating or becoming painfully cold. Plus, large, open windows mean that cats have a spot to watch birds and hone their natural predator instincts.
Senior living in pets-allowed communities also means common areas that ensure pets thrive. Some may include:
- Paved walking paths for dogs and their owners
- Courtyard and patio areas for animals to relax outdoors
- Designated indoor areas where pets can get out of their rooms safely
Individually-Tailored Care Plans: The Key to Good Pet Ownership
A pet-friendly senior community isn’t all about the amenities. It’s also about providing residents with the care they need to be effective pet parents.
Those who cannot care for themselves are often unable to care for another life. Some reasons that seniors may face challenges with caring for pets include:
- Mobility limitations that make playing with cats and walking dogs difficult
- An inability to bend over and clean pet messes, including litter boxes
- Cognitive issues that make it challenging to remember to feed pets and provide them with water
- Depression due to poor personal care and hygiene
Luckily, compassionate caregivers at Rittenhouse Village at Northside work to resolve and mitigate these challenges!
Our team is committed to enhancing senior mobility through stretching and other light exercise. This makes it easier to play with animals and clean up after them. We can also help residents with these tasks if needed.
Our nationally recognized memory care program is designed specifically for seniors with cognitive decline. This includes dementia.
In memory care, seniors can boost cognition with purpose-driven activities to boost cognition. They also unlock sensory-stimulating experiences to open neural pathways in the brain. This can improve short-term memory and reduce disorientation.
Getting this specialized care can help seniors retain enough mental stamina to care for their pets!
Residents in both assisted living and memory care also retain better mental health due to personal care assistance. Our caregivers help with things like:
- Bathing and showering
- Choosing clothes
- Dressing
- Brushing teeth and hair
- Using the bathroom
- Moving through the apartment
- Standing up and sitting down
- Housekeeping
- Cleaning up messes
This ensures that all of a pet owner’s individual needs are met. Residents can then feel well enough to prioritize their beloved animal’s needs. It’s easier to get out of bed in the morning when you feel fresh and positive, which makes caring for pets less difficult.
The Benefits of Animal Companionship for Seniors
Pets are natural mood-boosters. Interacting with a cat or dog boosts oxytocin and dopamine in the brain. These chemicals don’t just create positive feelings but also enhance the bond between animals and their owners.
Pets also decrease senior stress. Studies show that they decrease cortisol, a stress-related hormone. They can also bring blood pressure down to healthy levels.
Cats are especially good for stress reduction since their purrs have healing properties. They decrease worry while also offering anti-inflammatory benefits and better joint health.
The energy levels of dogs can also offer a boost of happiness, as can the Vitamin D that comes from walking them. All pets are great for seniors looking to become healthier!
In addition to these advantages, the steady love and support an animal offers can decrease loneliness in older adults.
Age is a massive risk factor for loneliness. One in every three Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 is isolated from others.
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute reports that 85% of people agree that interacting with pets can decrease loneliness. 76% think that it’s effective in combating social isolation as a whole.
Animals can be a lifeline for seniors, and their loyalty and affection can be life-saving.
Boost Senior Happiness By Aging With Pets
Now that you know the ins and outs of assisted living in pets-allowed communities, it’s time to look into the top assisted living and memory care in Indianapolis.
Rittenhouse Village at Northside offers a wide range of amenities that both residents and their animals can enjoy. Our caregivers can assist seniors with a wide range of tasks. Comprehensive, personalized care plans keep residents healthy enough to care for beloved cats and dogs.
Want to see our amenities and meet the happy pets that live within our walls? Schedule a tour of our community to learn more about how we welcome humans and animals alike.
