Senior's and pets

Pets are a wonderful thing for seniors. They have been clinically proven to help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. We have a Shitzu and a siamese cat - both of which provide both comfort and irritation at times, but they are part of the family and we love them dearly.

If you would like to get the benefits of a pet, but can not get one where you live or because of constraints on the needed care for a pet, then perhaps another option might be to do what many senoir centers have begun doing and have a companion pet brought in occassionally? Maybe a friend has a cat or small dog that loves to be around people that you can bring in to visit your care recipient a day or two a week? Or every other week. Maybe take your care recipient to the mall and browse through the pet store? Or go visit a children's petting zoo? There are many ways to make animals a part of your care recipient's life and the soothing effects have been proven to be well worth it.