There are benefits to seniors owning pets that are absolutely incredible. Unfortunately, many men and women over the age of 65-70 have lost their spouses to death, but research and studies have shown that adopting a pet will help them in very many ways.
Many seniors who have lost the person they fell in love with 20+ years ago get incredibly lonely. The house is empty. The kids have gone off to college, gotten married, and had children of their own. They’re alone. Having a pet will battle that sorrow and feeling of loneliness. Most elderly people are used to taking care of someone, whether it was their sick spouse, their kids years before, etc. Having a pet to care for is a great thing for them. If the pet is younger, like a puppy or a kitten, they will be playful and full of energy, which, in turn, will make their elderly masters playful and full of energy. The senior pet owners will be more likely to exercise, which keeps them in better health. Having a puppy will ensure that the senior goes on multiple short walks every day for when the puppy needs to do his business, however, having a kitten will keep the senior loved and needed. The plus side of having cats and not having to go on periodic walks is that if it’s cold, raining, or snowing, the elderly owner won’t catch cold.
Another important factor in dealing with elderly pet owners is this: after the loss of a loved one, something called “pet therapy” helps greatly. Not just for seniors, but for people dealing with death of all ages. Pet therapy will help battle the depression they’ll feel and the loss won’t feel as bad. Encourage every single senior living alone to get a pet they can interact with. It will extend their lives and bring a smile to their faces.