The Benefits of Pet Friendly Senior Living in Bethel Park

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, about 50% of Americans over age 50 are pet owners. This research links pet ownership with better health outcomes in older adults, namely those with chronic health conditions.

Are you considering pet friendly senior living in Bethel Park, PA? It could benefit your quality of life more than you realize! Read on to discover the benefits of choosing cat- and pet-friendly housing today!

Emotional Support Animals

Spending time with animals could enhance your emotional well-being. Benefits of the presence of companion animals (the "pet effect") may generate positive feelings while helping you combat negative emotions.

Spend time petting, talking to, and walking with your pet. They can help you relax, which can improve your emotional regulation.

According to a study on pets and happiness, pet owners are more satisfied with their lives than non-pet owners. Dog owners scored higher on all aspects of well-being compared with cat owners.

The effect of having a pet may vary based on your:

Living situation
Personality
Pet's specific needs
Willingness to take care of a pet

If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or loneliness, look into emotional support animals. They can:

Create a sense of purpose and responsibility
Boost serotonin and dopamine
Alleviate loneliness
Enhance your emotional health
Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms

Otherwise, explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar. They may offer pet therapy sessions.

Companionship Combats Loneliness

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, about 34% of adults aged 50 to 80 feel isolated. Another 37% report a lack of companionship.

Social isolation and loneliness are linked to physical and mental health conditions, including:

Depression
Anxiety
High blood pressure
Heart disease
A weakened immune system
Obesity
Cognitive decline
Alzheimer's disease
Death

Pet ownership in retirement offers a source of companionship. You can develop a deep attachment to your pet, which can combat loneliness.

Having a pet can help boost your self-esteem. Your furry friend will love you unconditionally. Their companionship can be a source of comfort when you feel alone.

Encourages Socializing

Seniors with pets often socialize with other pet owners. For example, you may have a daily chat with another owner at your local dog park. These social interactions can offer mental and physical health benefits.

Choosing cat- and dog-friendly housing can help you connect with other seniors, even if you don't have a pet of your own. You can ask the owner about their furry friend and experience these benefits by interacting with an animal in your Bethel Park senior living community.

Socializing regularly can help:

Give you a sense of belonging
Enhance longevity
Give you a sense of purpose
Improve your mental health
Reduce stress
Enhance longevity
Improve your mood
Keep you accountable for self-care

Seniors With Pets Exercise

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the percentage of seniors 65 and older who met guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities decreases with age.

In 2022, only 13.9% of adults aged 65 and older met these guidelines. This includes 16.8% of adults ages 65-74 and 6.2% of adults ages 75 to 84.

Exercising regularly can:

Improve sleep quality
Reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's
Reduce the risk of depression
Lower feelings of anxiety
Reduce blood pressure
Help you live independently longer
Reduce the risk of weight gain
Lower the risk of eight cancers
Improve bone health
Reduce the risk of falls
Lower the risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes

Having a dog may encourage you to exercise more. According to the National Library of Medicine, walking may help:

Increase your mental well-being
Prevent age-related diseases
Reduce your risk of heart disease, dementia, and diabetes
Promote pro-aging effects
Boost longevity
Reduce stress
Improve creativity
Improve sleep

Explore your senior living community's wellness program to discover walking and hiking groups. You and your furry companions can walk alongside other seniors and pets, which encourages socialization. Socializing can further benefit your mental and physical health.

Reduces Stress and Depression

The National Council on Aging estimates that 21 million US adults struggle with depression. Symptoms include:

Trouble concentrating
Cognitive changes
Insomnia or oversleeping
Irritability
Fatigue and low energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Persistent sadness
Apathy
An increase or decrease in appetite
Physical pains
Recurring thoughts of death
Digestive problems
Slow sleep or movement

If these symptoms sound familiar, reach out for help. You can find resources through your senior living community.

Having a pet may ease feelings of depression and anxiety. Interacting with animals could help ease stress symptoms, too.

Petting or maintaining prolonged eye contact with animals can boost oxytocin levels, the bonding hormone. Oxytocin helps reduce stress.

Petting an animal can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. It may help reduce stress hormone levels.

Being a pet owner may benefit your brain health. Pet owners focus their attention better and remember stories more accurately than non-pet owners. Having a pet could reduce your cognitive age by 15 years.

May Benefit Heart Health

Having a pet may lower your blood pressure levels. High blood pressure can cause blood vessel and organ damage. These are contributing factors for:

Stroke
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Heart disease

If you feel stressed, try spending time with a furry friend. A companion animal could help you relax, which may benefit your heart health. In fact, people with pets have a greater chance of surviving heart-related emergencies than those without.

Enhanced Bethel Park Senior Lifestyle

Having a companion animal may enhance your Bethel Park senior lifestyle. Pets foster feelings of purpose and belonging. Their presence can become a source of comfort, improving your quality of life.

In an interview-based study, older adults said that their pets:

Helped create a structured daily routine
Gave meaning to their lives
Increased feelings of safety
Improved their social lives
Offered comfort

Choose Pet Friendly Senior Living

Seniors with pets have a higher quality of life. They experience mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. Consider choosing pet friendly senior living to experience these benefits firsthand.

Look no further for senior living in Bethel Park, PA, than Provincial Bethel Park. Our senior living community offers Independent Living with Supportive Services, including a full calendar of enriching activities and homestyle, chef-prepared meals.

Discover senior living tailored to your unique needs. Contact us now to schedule your tour.