Pet Friendly Assisted Living — Does it Exist?

As of 2024, there were approximately 800,000-1,000,000 older adults in assisted living in the United States. The transition from their homes to new, unfamiliar facilities can be challenging for older adults. A beloved pet can often make the process easier by providing comfort, companionship, and purpose. Even after downsizing, a pet can make assisted living feel more like home.

According to an Aging Mental Health study, older adults who own pets are 36% less likely to report feeling lonely than their peers who don't own pets. As such, if your senior loved one owns a pet, you should look into assisted living facilities that allow their animal friend to join them. 

Below, we dive into everything you need to know about pet-friendly assisted living. Keep reading to learn more. 

 

Policies vary by facility, but you can have pets in assisted living in most cases. Your loved one must be able to care for their pet independently, and the pet may have to complete an assessment to ensure they won't endanger your senior loved one or other community residents. This assessment may require you to produce vaccination records. Some facilities have breed or weight restrictions. 

Generally, only domesticated animals are allowed in assisted living. However, this rule doesn't mean dogs and cats are the only options for pets. Some senior living facilities allow low-maintenance pets like birds, pot-bellied pigs, fish, or even tiny horses. 

Although many assisted living facilities allow pets, your senior loved one and their pet must comply with some standard rules, which may include the following:

 

• Size, weight, and/or breed restrictions
• Animals must be domesticated (no exotic animals)
• Payment of a monthly or one-time fee
• Proof of vaccinations and initial assessment
• Backup plan if the owner can no longer take care of their pet

Pets can provide great company for your senior loved one, along with tangible social, physical, mental, and psychological benefits. The following section explores the benefits of pet-friendly assisted living arrangements.

Owning a pet requires your senior loved one to take responsibility for the well-being of another living creature. This responsibility may include cleaning up after, feeding, and walking them. As such, older adults can gain cardiovascular and muscular benefits from owning a pet. 

Interacting with a pet can boost oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, which in turn can lower stress hormone levels. Moreover, in a recent study from the American Psychiatric Association, 86% of pet owners reported that their pets positively affected their mental health. Especially for older adults, taking care of a pet can keep your brain active, since you have to consider daily tasks to perform for your pet's well-being.

In assisted living, older adults generally live apart from their loved ones and family members. This situation can sometimes result in loneliness and cognitive decline. A pet can help fight against both, as by caring for their pet, your senior loved one can form a loving connection. Older adults who owned pets are less likely to report feeling lonely than older adults who did not care for pets. 

Caring for another living being and feeling needed can provide older adults with purpose in their lives, which can improve mental and physical health. According to an AARP-sponsored study from the University of Michigan, almost three out of every four older adults who owned pets said their pet helped them feel a sense of purpose. 

According to the American Heart Association, dog owners reduce the risk of death for heart attack and stroke survivors. Moreover, according to the Harvard Heart Letter, dog owners may have a lower risk of death due to heart disease. 

Finally, 70% of older adults reported their pet helped them deal with the physical/emotional symptoms of disease, while 46% said their pet helped them think less about pain. 

A pet can provide familiarity when your senior loved one moves into assisted living, making them feel like they aren't taking the leap alone. Moreover, a pet can help older adults make friends by connecting with other pet lovers in their new home. 

While pets can offer many benefits for your senior loved one, there are a few things to consider before committing to a pet in assisted living. We delve into three major considerations below.

In the AARP-sponsored University of Michigan study, 18% of older adults mentioned that owning a pet puts a strain on their budget. Costs related to vet visits, grooming, medications, and emergency medical procedures can add up. 

Owning a pet creates a significant commitment, potentially involving vet visits, daily walks and feeding, and medications. If your senior loved one struggles to remember to take care of daily tasks in their own life, they may struggle with pet ownership. 

Is an assisted living facility the right fit for your senior loved one's pet? If that pet is used to a fenced-in backyard, significant room to roam, or space to recharge, assisted living could create a stressful environment, which may cause them to act out. 

Before your loved one transitions into assisted living, ask the facility the following questions:

 

• Do you charge fees for pet ownership?
• Do you provide any care assistance for pet owners?
• Are there restrictions on what type of pet you can bring here?
• Are there facilities or amenities specifically for pets?
• Is there an initial pet assessment? If so, what are the requirements for this assessment? 

If your senior loved one is considering moving into a nursing home, memory care facility, assisted living setting, or independent living community, you may wonder what to do with their pet. There are several benefits of seniors owning pets, especially dogs, including reduced stress, increased physical activity, and better overall health.

Fortunately, while policies vary by facility, many assisted living facilities allow seniors to own pets. Pets usually need to pass an initial assessment and comply with certain rules, but they'll often be able to keep your senior loved one company in assisted living. 

• Abramovich, Giselle. (n.d.). 6 unexpected health benefits of pets for older Americans. Cigna Healthcare
• Americans note overwhelming positive mental health impact of their pets in new poll; dogs and cats equally beneficial. (2023). American Psychiatric Association
• Animals in health-care facilities. (2017). Centers for Disease Control
• Are pets allowed in assisted living facilities? (n.d.). Senior Services of America
• Assisted living statistics. (2024). Consumer Affairs
• Do dog owners live longer? (2024). American Heart Association. 
• Poll: pets help older adults cope with health issues, get active, and connect with others. (2019). Science Daily
• Regalia, Liz. (2024). Do assisted living facilities allow pets? Experts explain. Care.com
• Rose, Leslie D. (2024). Best pets for seniors of all ability levels: what experts recommend. Care.com
• Stanley, Ian H et al. (2013). Pet ownership may attenuate loneliness among older adult primary care patients who live alone. Aging & Mental Health.