Pet Friendly Senior Living in Lubbock: What Seniors Gain

According to a systematic review, older adults perceive their pets as beneficial to their emotional and physical health. It suggests that older adults receiving care may benefit more from pet companionship than someone with an active lifestyle.

Choosing pet friendly senior living could benefit your mental, emotional, and physical health. What exactly are the health benefits of aging with animals in Lubbock, TX? Read on to find out!

Emotional Health Benefits

Research on "the pet effect" in daily life indicates that negative emotions are lower at moments when a companion animal is present. Interacting with an animal, meanwhile, is associated with positive emotions. In other words, spending time with your furry companion can help improve emotional regulation.

Another study explored the association between pet ownership and well-being. Results indicate that pet owners are more satisfied with their lives than non-pet owners.

Here are a few other ways senior housing with pets can benefit your emotional health.

Pet Companionship

Seniors are at risk of social isolation and loneliness, which is associated with mental and physical conditions like:

Alzheimer's disease
Depression
Anxiety
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Weakened immunity
Cognitive decline
Obesity
Death

Pet companionship is unconditional. Your furry friend will love you, even if you're late feeding them or taking them for a walk. Their ongoing love and support can ease feelings of loneliness.

Choosing a cat- or dog-friendly living option may encourage you to socialize with other seniors. People may come up to you to meet your furry companion. You can use these opportunities to strike up conversations and make new friends.

Socializing can:

Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
Improve your sleep quality
Reduce your risk of chronic diseases
Help you manage stress
Improve your mood
Extend your longevity

Check out your senior living community's events and activities calendar for opportunities to meet other seniors. Your community may even offer pet-friendly events.

Stress Relief

According to The American Institute of Stress, 43% of Americans feel more anxious than they did in the previous year. Adults identified stress (53%) as the top lifestyle factor affecting their mental health.

About 44% of seniors aged 50 to 80 surveyed said they feel stressed. Stress can trigger inflammation, which may lead to age-related conditions like:

Dementia
Cardiovascular disease
Arthritis
Type 2 diabetes

Over 55% of seniors surveyed said their pets were a source of joy. Aging with animals can trigger oxytocin release. Oxytocin, the bonding hormone, relieves stress.

Prolonged eye contact, talking to, or petting an animal can lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone that can trigger an inflammatory response. Chronic stress may cause:

Heartburn
Depression
Anxiety
Pounding heart
Irritability
Insomnia
Rapid breathing
Stomach aches
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Weakened immunity

It could increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack. As inflammation weakens your immune system, you could be more susceptible to illness.

The next time you feel stressed, spend time with your furry friend. They can help you relax.

Otherwise, explore your senior living community's wellness program. They may offer relaxation sessions, including yoga and meditation.

Physical Health Benefits

Moving into senior housing with benefits may benefit your physical health. Here are a few ways you and your pet can stay healthy.

Exercise

Having a pet, especially a dog, may encourage you to exercise more often. Walking or hiking may help:

Offer pro-aging benefits at a cellular level
Improve sleep
Prevent age-related diseases
Foster creativity
Increase your mental well-being
Reduce your risk of chronic conditions
Reduce stress
Increase your longevity

Explore your senior living community's fitness program for exercise classes. You can join a walking group to attend alongside friends. They can hold you accountable to exercise regularly.

Aim for 30 minutes of exercise daily (or 150 minutes a week). Your furry friend will be excited to go with you.

Heart Health

Having a pet may lower your cortisol levels. According to the American Heart Association, pets may help:

Get you to exercise more
Lower your cholesterol
Boost overall happiness and well-being
Encourage habits that lead to weight loss
Reduce stress
Lower blood pressure
Lower your blood sugar

Long-term high blood pressure may damage organs and blood vessels. This could increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Recovery

Having a pet may distract you while you're healing from an illness or injury. Their presence can help you stay calm, which may speed up the natural recovery process.

Mental Health Benefits

According to the World Health Organization, about 14% of adults aged 60 and older live with a mental disorder. The most common mental health disorders among seniors are depression and anxiety. Common symptoms of depression include:

Irritability
Restlessness
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Moving or talking slower than usual
Ignoring important responsibilities
Apathy
Persistent sadness
Loss of interest in activities

If you experience these symptoms, reach out for help. Your Lubbock senior living community will have resources available.

Spending time with a pet may benefit your mental health. They can offer love, compassion, and comfort, which may ease your anxiety and depression symptoms.

Cognitive Health

According to a study on cognitive testing, compared with non-pet owners, pet owners:

Remember stories more accurately
Have a higher mental processing speed
Focus their attention better

Having a pet is associated with greater cognitive health. It may help reduce your brain age by up to 15 years while protecting you against age-related cognitive decline.

Enhance Your Lubbock Retirement Lifestyle

Having a pet may enhance your Lubbock retirement lifestyle. They can offer an ongoing source of compassion and love.

You and your pet will thrive on routine. You can develop a structured lifestyle based on your needs and preferences. Structure can improve your sleep health, cognitive health, and quality of life.