What Are Pet Policies at Assisted Living Communities?

June 16, 2020 by ·

People love their pets. For many Americans, their beloved cat or dog is just like a member of the family. They couldn’t imagine life without their furry companion. Yet, for some seniors who are considering the prospect of assisted living and have a pet, this may be enough for them to completely discount that option. 

After all, why would they even consider giving up their best friend just to move to a different community? In truth, though, some assisted living communities may allow some pets. Keep in mind, though, that it’s different from one place to the next. 

You’re not likely going to find an assisted living facility that allows large breed or even potentially dangerous types of dogs. Imagine an aging senior trying to walk a Mastiff or Great Dane. That’s not reasonable. Nor is it reasonable to assume other residents are going to be okay with a pit bull strolling down the hallway. 

Whether or not these larger breeds deserve the negative feelings they invoke is not for debate in this blog. What this topic is about involves the pet policies that some assisted living facilities may have in place. 

 

Call the facility directly.

Assisted Living in Daphne, AL: Seniors and Pets

Not all assisted living communities are going to allow pets of any kind. They may be concerned about allergies, cleanliness, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all residents. 

As a result, one facility may have a limited pet policy while others are strictly ‘no pets allowed.’ That may include fish. An aging senior may have a beautiful 50 gallon fish tank with saltwater species they have had for years, but if the assisted living facility does not allow pets of any kind, this is unlikely to be allowed, either. 

Call the facility and ask what their pet policy happens to be before digging in deeper. Keep in mind that if the senior you want to convince to think about assisted living has a beloved pet, if a particular facility does not allow it, the challenge to convince them will be monumental. 

 

What if the facility does permit some pets? 

They might allow small breed dogs or some indoor cats. Find out what their policies are with relation to keeping the animal contained in their room, cleaning up after it, and so on. Don’t expect the staff at an assisted living facility to go taking resident pets out for a walk. 

Also, keep in mind that if a pet is to be contained within the room and it gets out, that can cause extra strain and stress for some of the residents and time for the staff to help gather it back up. 

Pet policies are important to understand so if the senior has a beloved furry best friend, find out about these before discussing assisted living further with him or her. 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living in Daphne, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017. 

Filed Under: Assisted Living Daphne AL, Seniors and Pets · Tagged: ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
Google Verified Author